,,contributions ,,f                     
,,! ,,museum ,,( ,,hi/ory ,,&           
,,te*nology3                            
,,pap] #bf                              
,,holcomb1 ,,fitz1 ,,& ,,peate3         
,,?ree #ai,,?-,,c5tury ,,am]ican        
,,telescope ,,mak]s                     
,,introduction--,rob]t ,p4 ,mul?auf     
#aef        ,i4 ,amasa                  
,holcomb--,autobiographical ,sket*      
#afj       ,,ii4 ,h5ry ,fitz--,julia    
,fitz ,h[ell                            
#afd      ,,iii4 ,john ,peate--,f4 ,w4  
,pre/on & ,william ,j4 ,mc,grath1 ,jr4  
#aga     ,,holcomb1 ,,fitz1 & ,,peate3  
,?ree #ai? ,c5tury ,am]ican ,telescope  
,mak]s   ,practically all ! telescopes  
us$ by amateur sci5ti/s 9 #ah?-c5tury   
,am]ica 7 ( ,european orig94 ,our       
dep5d5ce ^u =eign s\rces = ^! in/rum5ts 
cont9u$ well into ! #ai? c5tury1 & !    
beg9n+ ( telescope mak+ 9 ?is c\ntry has
 conv5tionally be5 associat$ ) ! names (
 ,alvan ,cl>k & ,john ,bra%e>1 ^: "w    
dates f ! #ahfj's4  ,pres5t$ "h are     

biographical sket*es ( two pr$ecessors &
 a contempor>y ( ,cl>k & ,bra%e> ^:     
obscurity is n des]v$4 ,! acc\nts relate
 "s hi!rto little-kn[n aspects (        
telescope mak+ 9 ,am]ica z x progress$ f
 me*anic art to sci5ce4  ,,! ,,au?or ( !
 ,introduction1 ,rob]t ,p4 ,mul?auf1 is 
head curator ( ! dep>tm5t ( sci5ce &    
te*nology 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,national   
,museum1 ,smi?sonian ,in/itution4       
,,introduction  ,rob]t ,p4 ,mul?auf   ,!
 telescope 0 inv5t$ ab\t #afjj4 ,x 0    
br\ght to ,am]ica ab\t a half-c5tury    
lat]1 & )9 ano!r c5tury _h become a     
commonplace appurt5ance to ! libr>y ( ! 
cultivat$ g5tleman4#a  ,?r\gh\t ?is     
p]iod1 f ,galileo to ,h]s*el1 !         
telescope f\nd use 9 sci5tific a/ronomy1
 al?\gh ! possibility ( contribut+ to ! 
sci5ce ( a/ronomy by simple obs]vation  
dim9i%$ cont9u\sly aft] ! "t ( ,galileo4
 ,h]s*el's "w _h aim$ at ! advancem5t ( 
sci5tific a/ronomy ?r\gh increas+       
spectacul>ly our p[]s ( vision1 j z _h t
 ( ,galileo 9 ! #ag? c5tury & ( ,hale 9 

! #bj?4 ,b ev5 9 ,h]s*el's "t ! mon/r\s 
size ( ! in/rum5t requir$ made ! project
 some?+ ( a national ef=t4 ,! telescopes
 ( ! #ah?-c5tury ,am]ican g5tleman 7    
already toys1 z f> z ! a/ronom] 0       
conc]n$4  ,h[ev]1 ! telescope _h ano!r1 
if less glamor\s1 use 9 ! #ah? c5tury4  
,?is 0 its use 9 positional a/ronomy1 9 
! ev] m precise measurem5t ( ! relative 
positions ( objects se5 9 ! heav5s4     
,measurem5t _h be5 ! purpose s]v$ by    
pre-telescopic a/ronomical in/rum5ts1 ! 
sight+ b>s ( ! ,ptolemaic obs]v]s (     
,alex&ria & ! elegant quadrants ( ,ty*o 
,brahe4 ,= a "t aft] ! inv5tion ( !     
telescope ! pr(essional a/ronom] resi/$ 
! innovation1 b by ! end ( ! #ag? c5tury
 ! new optical in/rum5t 0 be+ adapt$ to 
! quadrant & o!r in/rum5ts = ! precise  
measurem5t ( ! positions ( heav5ly      
bodies 9 relation to ! "t-honor$        
a/ronomical coord9ates4 ,by ! late #ah? 
c5tury telescopes 7 f\nd s]v+ ?ree      
relatively di/9ct purposes3 ! increas$  
magnification ( ! sky 9 g5]al 79 :i* use

 ,h]s*el's #dh-;in* reflector _h made   
all o!rs obsolete73 ! m precise         
measurem5t ( planet>y & /ell> positions 
7&1 conv]sely1 ( ! ,e>?'s %ape7 by means
 ( ! quadrant1 v]tical circle1 z5i?     
sector1 & simil> in/rum5ts2 & ! simple  
edification ( ! educat$ b n le>n$       
classes1 :o wi%$ n only to see :at !    
a/ronom] saw1 b to h an in/rum5t also   
useful = look+ occasionally at int]e/+  
objects on e>?4  ,( ^! ?ree purposes !  
second 0 ! mo/ unimpea*ably sci5tific4  
,x is rem>kable t ! e>lie/ ,am]ican-made
 telescopes ( :i* we h k 7 made = ?is   
purpose & n = ! m]e gratification ( !   
curiosity ( ! educat$ layman4 ,^! are ! 
telescopes ( ! rem>kable ,philadelphia  
me*anic1 ,david ,ritt5h\se 7#agcb-if74  
,9 an atmosph]e n unlike ! intellectual 
democracy t *>act]iz$ ! =mation ( !     
,royal ,society a c5tury e>li] 9        
,london1 ,ritt5h\se began z a clockmak] 
& end$ z presid5t ( ! ,am]ican          
,philosophical ,society1 our c\nt]p>t ( 
! ,royal ,society1 9 ,philadelphia4 ,he 

demon/rat$ n m]ely t an in/rum5t-mak] 0 
capable ( be+ a sci5ti/1 b also t ! "w (
 ! in/rum5t-mak]1 z x _h develop$ by !  
late #ah? c5tury1 0 9 itself sci5tific  
"w4 ,"o ( sev]al obs]v]s assign$ by !   
,society to ! obs]vation ( ! transit (  
,v5us 9 #agfi1 he con/ruct$ in/rum5ts ( 
! mo/ advanc$ types1 app>5tly employ+   
,european l5ses1 & us$ ! in/rum5ts      
himself4 ,( ^!1 a #a-;in* refractor     
m\nt$ z a transit in/rum5t /&s 9 ! hall 
( ! ,philosophical ,society4 ,x is      
probably ! olde/ extant ,am]ican-made   
telescope4  ,ritt5h\se made o!r         
telescopes :i* survive1 notably two z5i?
 sectors n[ 9 ! ,u4,s4 ,national ,museum
 ( ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution1#b b he    
does n appe> to h made !m = comm]cial   
sale4 ,9 ! hi/ory ( telescope-mak+ 9    
,am]ica he seems to h be5 some?+ ( a    
8sport40 ,n only 7 ! in/rum5ts :i* /ill 
grace ! desks ( ,wa%+ton1 ,jeff]son1 &  
o!rs1 ( ,european manufacture1 b !      
e>lie/ obs]vatories 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates   
7elev5 betwe5 #aghf & #ahdj7 7 outfitt$ 

exclusively 7except = ! ,ritt5h\se      
obs]vatory7 ) ,european in/rum5ts4#c ,9 
its endeavor to e/abli% a p]man5t       
obs]vatory ev5 ,ritt5h\se's own         
,philosophical ,society seems to h ?\ght
 exclusively 9 t]ms ( in/rum5ts (       
,european manufacture4  ,x mu/ !re=e h  
requir$ "s c\rage = ,amasa ,holcomb1    
#dc-ye>-old ,massa*usetts surveyor1 to  
approa* ,pr(essor ,silliman ( ,yale 9   
#ahcj ) a telescope ( 8 own con/ruction4
 ,9 ! autobiography pr9t$ "h1 ,holcomb  
/ates t all ! telescopes us$ 9 ?is      
c\ntry be=e #ahcc _h be5 obta9$ 9       
,europe1 & indicates t !reaft] 8! :ole  
m>ket 0 9 8 h&s dur+ ?irte5 ye>s10 a    
p]iod :i* w\ld fall1 app>5tly1 betwe5   
#ahcc & #ahde4 ,x %\ld be m5tion$1      
al?\gh x is no conclusive negation (    
,holcomb's claim1 t ! ,new ,york        
in/rum5t-mak] ,ri*>d ,patt5 9 #ahcj     
built a telescopic !odolite t 0 design$ 
by ,f]d9& ,hassl] = use on ! ,wilkes    
,exp$ition1 & 0 subsequ5tly us$ at !    
obs]vatory ( ! ,navy's 8,depot ( ,*>ts &

 ,in/rum5ts0 9 ,wa%+ton4#d ,we d n "k ! 
s\rce ( ,patt5's l5ses4  ,holcomb w\ld  
appe> to h succe$$ z a comm]cial mak] ( 
telescopes4 ,he claims to h sold 8      
in/rum5ts 89 almo/ e /ate 9 ! ,union10 &
 also abroad1 b we "k no?+ ( :at use 0  
made ( any ( !m4 ,! telescope he %[$    
,pr(essor ,silliman 0 a refractor4      
,ano!r1 pres]v$ 9 ! ,smi?sonian         
,in/itution1#e is l ,ritt5h\se's #agfi  
in/rum5t1 a transit4 ,b ,holcomb seems  
to h specializ$ 9 reflectors ( !        
,h]s*elean type1 i4e41 in/rum5ts1 9 :i* 
! image is view$ ?r\gh an eye-piece     
locat$ at ! m\? ( ! tube4 ,x is probably
 reasonable to d\bt t ! s]i\s a/ronom] (
 ?is p]iod %>$ ,holcomb's en?usiasm =   
?is type ( difficult-to-adju/ in/rum5t 9
 ! small sizes he produc$ 7#aj-;in*es is
 ! l>ge/ report$74 ,9 #ahcd1 #ahce1 &   
#ahcf he pres5t$ in/rum5ts ( ?is type to
 ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute 9 ,philadelphia1  
:]e committees comp>$ !m ) ! be/        
available ,european refractors & f\nd !m
 m ?an adequate4 ,"o ( ,holcomb's       

in/rum5ts ( #ahce1 app>5tly 8 only      
surviv+ reflector1 is n[ 9 ! ,smi?sonian
 ,in/itution 7see app5dix1 p4 #ahd74    
,t[>d #ahde1 ,holcomb tells u1 8"o aft] 
ano!r w5t into ! bus9ess10 & inde$ !y   
did4 ,at ! ,am]ican ,in/itute ,fair 9   
,new ,york t ye> a gold m$al 0 giv5     
,h5ry ,fitz 8= ! be/ a*romatic          
telescope40 ,9 ,cambridge1              
,massa*usetts1 ,alvan ,cl>k is suppos$  
to h already tak5 up ! hobby ( l5s &    
mirror mak+4 ,& 9 ,mc,keesport1         
,p5nsylvania1 an amateur telescope-mak] 
n[ kn[n only z 8,squire ,wampl]0 made a 
small a*romatic refractor :i* he        
demon/rat$ 9 #ahdi to a #i-ye>-old boy  
nam$ ,john ,bra%e>1 ( :om m lat]4  ,"s (
 ,holcomb's telescopes mu/ h come to !  
att5tion ( ,h5ry ,fitz dur+ 8 wide      
travels z a locksmi? aft] #ahcj1 if1 z  
is report$1 he 0 at t "t pursu+ 8       
avocational int]e/ 9 a/ronomy4 ,x is    
int]e/+ to note t bo? ,holcomb & ,fitz  
seem to h pursu$ fev]i%ly ! new         
photographic process ( ,dagu]re 9 #ahci1

 ! =m] ne> ! end ( 8 c>e] z a           
telescope-mak]1 ! latt] ne> ! beg9n+ (  
84  ,! decade be=e #ahde1 :5 8"o aft]   
ano!r w5t into ! bus9ess10 seems to h   
be5 m>k$ by ! fl[]+ ( obs]vational      
a/ronomy 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,!          
pr(essional "w ( ! ,navy's ,depot (     
,*>ts & ,in/rum5ts 7=]unn] ( ! ,naval   
,obs]vatory7 began ab\t #ahch4 ,9 #ahdd 
! fir/ in/rum5t l>g] ?an #f in*es came  
to ?is c\ntry1 an #aa-;in* refractor = !
 ,c9c9nati ,obs]vatory4 ,! ,bonds       
e/abli%$ :at 0 to be ! ,h>v>d           
,obs]vatory 9 #ahci1 & by #ahdg ,h>v>d  
_h obta9$ its fam\s #ae-;in* refractor f
 ,m]z & ,mabl]4#f ,fitz 0 to h a m      
sophi/icat$ m>ket ?an _h ,holcomb4      
,despite ! gl[+ recomm5dations ( !      
,frankl9 ,in/itute committee1#g no      
actual use ( ,holcomb's in/rum5ts by    
a/ronom]s has come to light4 ,we may owe
 to ! rapid progress ( ,am]ican a/ronomy
 aft] #ahdj ! fact t we h evid5ce ( a m 
di/+ui%$ hi/ory = "s ( ,fitz's          
in/rum5ts4 ,x w also be recall$ t       

,holcomb specializ$ 9 ,h]s*elian        
reflectors4 ,fitz1 on ! o!r h&1 made few
 reflectors4 ,he specializ$ 9 a*romatic 
telescopes m\nt$ equatorially1 ! type ( 
in/rum5t :i* 0 9 greate/ dem& among     
pr(essional a/ronom]s at ! "t4  ,"s (   
,fitz's in/rum5ts _h individual hi/ories
 & 7 associat$ ) important ev5ts 9      
a/ronomy4 ,"o 0 tak5 9 #ahdi on !       
,*ilean a/ronomical exp$ition ( ,lieut4 
,james ,m4 ,gilliss4 ,ano!r 0 us$ by ,l4
 ,m4 ,ru!rfurd 9 8 epo*al a/ronomical   
photography at ,columbia ,univ]sity4    
,"o1 made = ! ,allegh5y ,obs]vatory1 is 
/ill 9 use at t in/itution4 ,x appe>s f 
8 acc\nt book t ,fitz made _m           
telescopes1 & "s h turn$ up 9 /range    
places4 ,! l5s ( "o ( 8 refractors 0    
locat$ a few ye>s ago 9 ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 9 
use z sub/itute = ! l5s 9 an automobile 
headlamp6#h ,at an ea/]n univ]sity 9    
#aieh ! writ] saw ano!r ( 8 refractors  
incorporat$ into app>atus us$ 9 graduate
 /ud5t exp]im5tation4  ,among ! o!rs :o 
began telescope-mak+ ab\t #ahde 0 !     

portrait pa9t] :o 0 to become "o ( !    
_w's =emo/ telescope-mak]s1 ,alvan      
,cl>k4 ,cl>k is suppos$ to h become fir/
 int]e/$ 9 l5s & mirror mak+ ab\t #ahdd1
 &1 z a resid5t ( ,cambridge1 ,mass41 to
 h be5 inspir$ ?ree ye>s lat] by ! great
 #ae-;in* refractor in/all$ at ,h>v>d4  
,8 fir/ enc\ragem5t came f ! ,briti%    
a/ronom] ,w4 ,r4 ,dawes1 ) :om he _h a  
correspond5ce on _! respective          
obs]vations & to :om he sold a #g in*   
refractor 9 #ahea4 ,! foll[+ ye> he     
e/abli%$1 ) 8 sons1 ! firm ( ,alvan     
,cl>k & ,sons1 a "n :i* 0 lat] to become
 "o ( ! mo/ fam\s 9 ! field ( telescope 
mak+4 ,:]eas ,holcomb _h demon/rat$ t   
telescopes c\ld be made 9 ?is c\ntry1 & 
,fitz t ,am]ican in/rum5ts 7 adequate to
 ! ne$s ( ! pr(essional a/ronom]1 ,cl>k 
0 to prove t ,am]ican in/rum5ts c\ld    
compete comm]cially ) ! f9e/ made 9     
,europe4 ,9 #ahfb ,alvan ,cl>k & ,sons  
complet$ an #ah-;in* refractor :i* 0    
long to s]ve ! ,de>born ,obs]vatory4 ,x 
is n[ 9 ! ,adl] ,planet>ium4 ,! fam\s   

,lick ,obs]vatory #cf-;in* refractor 0  
complet$ 9 #ahhg1 ! ye> ( ,cl>k's dea?1 
& 8 sons w5t on to build ! #dj-;in*     
,y]kes refractor1 7#ahig7 /ill ! l>ge/  
refractor ev] built4 ,x is no reflection
 on ,cl>k to note t he 0 m =tunate ?an  
,fitz1 9 8 long] life1 8 association )  
,w>n] & ,swasey 9 ! con/ruction (       
m\nt+s1 & 9 ! cont9uity giv5 to 8 "w by 
8 sons4  ,let u return = a mom5t to !   
#ahdj's & ,john ,bra%e>1 ! #i-ye>-old   
,p5nsylvania boy :o1 0 giv5 8 fir/      
opportunity ( look+ ?r\gh a small       
refractor telescope by its mak]1 ,squire
 ,wampl] ( ,mc,keesport4 ,bra%e> became 
a pr(essional ma*9i/1 b reta9$ an int]e/
 9 a/ronomy :i* l$ him to make a #e-;in*
 a*romatic refractor 9 #ahgb &          
subsequ5tly to %[ ! in/rum5t to ,samuel 
,pi]pont ,langley1#i !n director ( !    
,allegh5y ,obs]vatory4 ,) ,langley's    
enc\ragem5t ,bra%e> w5t on to con/ruct a
 #ab-;in* reflector & 9 #ahhj decid$ to 
make a bus9ess ( telescope-mak+4 ,he    
subsequ5tly made1 among o!r telescopes1 

a #cj-;in* refractor 9 #aijf = !        
,allegh5y ,obs]vatory & 9 #aiah a       
#gb-;in* reflector1 at ,victoria1       
,briti% ,columbia4 ,bra%e>'s greate/    
fame1 h[ev]1 came f 8 accessory         
in/rum5ts--spectroscopes & ! l4  ,n !   
lea/ ?rill+ aspect ( ! /ory ( !         
spectacul> asc5dancy ( ,am]ican-made    
telescopes is ! /ory ( _! f9anc+--( !   
big-telescope era 9 ,am]ican philan?ropy
 & ! f9ancial giants 7,lick1 ,hook]1    
,?aw1 ,y]kes1 & o!rs7 :o peopl$ x4 ,9 ! 
biography ( our ?ird telescope-mak]1    
,john ,peate1 we see at once ! p]si/5ce 
( ! amateur & ! difficulty ( 8 position 
at ! end ( ! #ai? c5tury4  ,peate1 too1 
may h acquir$ 8 int]e/ 9 a/ronomy dur+ !
 ye>s j be=e #ahde4 ,x has be5 surmis$ t
 he 0 inspir$ by ! s5sation creat$ by ! 
comet ( #ahdc1 b x is m likely t 8      
int]e/ result$ f visits to ,european    
obs]vatories :ile he 0 on a walk+ t\r 9 
#ahei4 ,unlike our o!r amateurs1 he did 
n *ange 8 pr(ession 7he 0 a ,me?odi/    
m9i/]71 be+ c]ta9ly at less lib]ty to d 

s1 b he adapt$ 8 hobby to x 9 an int]e/+
 way4 ,peate 0 some?+ ( a poor man's    
philan?ropi/1 & 8 fame w\ld h be5 no    
great] ?an t role cu/om>ily br+s _h he n
 und]tak5 9 #ahic ! a/oni%+ly audaci\s  
project ( mak+ ! l>ge/ glass reflector t
 _h ev] be5 built4 ,9 ?is project he    
assumes1 l 8 ,engli% contempor>y ,a4 ,a4
 ,common1 a position int]m$iate betwe5 !
 mak]s ( giant metallic specula1 ,h]s*el
 & ,rosse1 & ! mak]s ( ! ,cali=nia glass
 reflectors ( ! #bj? c5tury4#aj ,9 a    
pr(essional telescope-mak] ( ! end ( !  
#ai? c5tury1 ,peate's accompli%m5t w\ld 
h be5 rem>kable4 ,9 an amateur x is     
amaz+4 ,x detracts no?+ f ,peate to     
reveal1 z does ! sket* pr9t$ "h1 t !    
accolade :i* ?is project des]ves 7b has 
nev] receiv$7 belongs 9 "p to ,george   
,h[>d & ! ,/&>d ,plate ,glass ,company4 
,8 example & !irs enc\rage u to hope t !
 day ( ! amateur 9 sci5ce may n be at an
 end4     ,i4 ,amasa ,holcomb1          
#aghg-ahge       ,amasa ,holcomb 0 born 
9 #aghg1 ! ye> ,john ,fit*              

demon/rat$ 8 /eamboat be=e !            
,con/itutional ,conv5tion     assembl$  
at ,philadelphia1 & ?ree ye>s be=e !    
dea?     ( ,b5jam9 ,frankl94 ,two (     
,holcomb's telescopes rema9$     9 !    
attic ( ! family home 9 ,s\?wick1       
,massa*usetts1     until #aicc1 :5 !y 7 
(f]$ by 8 desc5dants to !               
,smi?sonian ,in/itution4#aa ,) !m came a
 manuscript book     ( meteorological & 
a/ronomical notes1 & ! foll[+     %ort  
sket* ( ! life ( ,holcomb1 unsign$ b    
almo/     c]ta9ly autobiographical4 ,x  
appe>s to h be5 writt5     :5 ! subject 
0 ab\t #hj ye>s old 7#ahfg74  ,! subject
 ( ?is notice 0 born ,june #ah1 #aghg4  
,! place 0 ,simsbury ,connecticut       
previ\s to #agfh4 ,t ye> ,simsbury 0    
divid$ & 8 bir? place fell 9 ,granby    
,con4 t be+ ! "n ( ! new t[n4 ,x rema9$ 
s until #ahjd :5 ! l9e betwe5           
,connecticut & ,massa*usetts 0 mov$     
fur!r s\? & 8 bir? place fell 9 ,s\?wick
 ,massa*usetts4 ,! h\se 0 ab\t a qu>t] (
 a mile nor? ( ! new /ate l9e1 & on a   

road ab\t half a mile we/ ( ! ma9 road f
 ,we/field to ,simsbury & ,h>t=d4 ,"h 8 
fa!r & "m liv$ & di$1 hav+ liv$ 9 ?ree  
diff]5t t[ns & two diff]5t /ates )\t    
*ang+ ! place ( _! resid5ce4 ,"h ,amasa 
0 born & pa/ 8 e>ly y\?4 ,8 gr& fa!r &  
gr& "m on 8 fa!rs side liv$ & di$ 9 a   
h\se ab\t ?irty rods fur!r s\?1 on !    
same road4 ,8 gr&fa!r's "n 0 ,elijah1 & 
0 a son ( ,na?aniel ,holcomb #c;d1 &    
m>ri$ ,violet ,corni% ( ,simsbury ,con4 
daught] ( ,capt4 ,james ,corni%4 ,8     
fa!rs "n 0 ,elijah ,holcomb ,junr4 ,he 0
 a f>m] & coop]4 ,9 ! latt] "p ( 8 life 
8 fa!r became involv$ 9 debt1 & mortgag$
 ! f>m4 ,8 son ,amasa paid ! debt & !   
fa!r ,elijah ,holcomb ,junr occupi$ !   
f>m until he di$ ,oct #e? #ahda4 ,!     
gr&fa!r on ! mo!rs side 0 ,silas        
,holcomb a son ( ,judah ,holcomb #a/ &  
gr&son ( ,na?anial ,holcomb #b;d4 ,he   
liv$ 9 ! nor?we/ "p ( ,granby1 ne>      
,h>tl& l9e1 :]e he own$ a l>ge f>m &    
beautiful home4 ,he kept a p>k = de] &  
cultivat$ fruit1 & made rais9s4 ,he     

m>ri$ ,m>y ,po/ ( ,hebron ,connecticut1 
& 9 ?is beautiful place !y liv$ & di$4  
,!re ,lucy ,holcomb ! "m ( ,amasa 0 born
 9 #agfg4 ,dur+ h] %ort life1 %e 0 "o ( 
! excell5t ones ( ! e>?1 & labor$ = !   
welf>e ( h] *ildr5 by in/ruction &      
example1 until %e di$ ,augu/ #ca #ahjj4 
,9 a v hot day 9 #agig1 %e attempt$ to  
get "s cattle out a field ( :eat4 ,! m5 
7 at "w 9 a di/ant field1 too f> (f to  
"k ab\t x4 ,%e became heat$1 & nev]     
recov]$1 ?\gh %e liv$ ?ree ye>s4 ,dur+ !
 la/ ye> ( h] life %e became s r$uc$1 t 
= a long :ile %e c\ld n speak a l\d ^w1 
b %e c\ld & did :isp] "s good advice to 
h] *ildr54 ,h] son ,amasa nev] =got x1 &
 he always rememb]$ 8 "m ) affection &  
gratitude4 ,%e _h two si/]s b no bro!r4 
,! h\se :]e %e 0 born is /ill /&+1 b has
 pass$ out ( ! family4 ,! h\se :]e 8    
fa!r & "m liv$ & di$#ab sp5t _! m>ri$   
life1 & :]e he 0 born1 has be5 tak5 d[n1
 & a new h\se built on ! same place by 8
 bro!r ,newton ,holcomb :o n[ owns ! old
 home /ead4 ,"h ,amasa sp5t 8 e>ly y\? &

 s*ool days4 ,!re 0 n a s*oolh\se 9 !   
di/rict :]e he liv$1 until he 0 pa/ hav+
 any use = a common s*ool4 ,! s*ools 7  
kept 9 dwell+ h\ses1 "o "p 0 occupi$ by 
! family1 & ! o!r "p by ! s*ool4 ,9 ^!  
s*ools 7 taught1 read+1 spell+1 writ+ & 
! fir/ rules ( ari?metic4 ,9 "s ( !m a  
little ,engli% gramm> 0 taught4 ,clim5a 
,holcomb1 ,lois ,ga9s1 ,be?uel ,b>b]1   
,samuel ,frasi]1 & ,james ,l4 ,adair1 9 
! ord] 9 :i* !y are nam$1 7 8 tea*]s4   
,at ! age ( fifte5 he 0 ask$ to take a  
s*ool 9 ,suffield ,connecticut4 ,he 0   
inspect$ & pass$ & took ! s*ool4 ,a l>ge
 portion ( ! pupils 7 old] & /\t] ?an he
 01 b !y _h ! good s5se to submit to be 
gov]n$ & taught1 & good progress 0 made4
 ,b be=e ?is a great impulse _h be5 giv5
 to 8 m9d4 ,he _h an uncle ,abijah      
,holcomb t w5t to sea ab\t #agih & nev] 
return$4 ,abijah _h fitt$ = college &   
left a valuable collection ( books4 ,"s 
( !m 7 classical1 & "s sci5tific4 ,"h he
 f\nd books on ,geometry1 ,navigation1 &
 a/ronomy4 ,amasa _h free access to ^!  

books1 & !y op5$ a bright] _w be=e him4 
,he w5t into ^! /udies ) great pleasure1
 & a m9d fully awake1 b alone4 ,none (  
^! bran*es 7 taught 9 any s*ool to :i*  
he _h access4 ,he _h s f> progress$ )\t 
help1 9 ,geometry1 ,survey+1 navigation1
 ,optics & ,a/ronomy1 t at ! great ,sol>
 eclipse 9 ,june #ahjf he c\ld make     
a/ronomical computations1 & 0 prep>$ to 
obs]ve ! eclipse ) in/rum5ts ( 8 own    
mak+4 ,! />s 7 visible dur+ ab\t f\r    
m9utes ( total d>kness4 ,he comput$1 &  
publi%$1 an almanac = ! next ye> #ahjg1 
& also = ! ye> #ahjh4 ,he w5t into !    
bus9ess ( survey+ l& ab\t ?is "t4 ,he   
lov$ to climb ! m\nta9s1 & enjoy$ f9e   
heal?4 ,9 ! ye> #ahjh he m>ri$ ,miss    
,gillet ,k5dall1 a daught] ( ,noadiah   
,k5dall ( ,granby ,connecticut4 ,%e 0 "o
 ( ! be/ ( wom51 & _h no enemies1 b 0   
belov$ by e body :o 0 acqua9t$ ) h]4 ,= 
a :ile he took /ud5ts into 8 own h\se1 &
 taught !m su* bran*es z ea* "o _h      
engag$ to be in/ruct$ 94 ,julius ,m4    
,coy ( ,suffield1 /udi$ survey+--,levi  

---- also f ,suffield /udi$ ,navigation1
 & soon w5t to sea1 & aft] a :ile       
comm&ed a vessel4 ,b5oni ,b4 ,bacon (   
,simsbury1 /udi$ ,survey+ & a/ronomy1   
,joseph ,w4 ,k+ ( ,suffield1 /udi$      
survey+--,h5ry ,m]w9 ( ,granby /udi$    
,survey+1 ,jeff]son ,cooley1 a graduate 
( ,yale ,college1 /udi$ survey+ & civil 
eng9e]+4 ,he _h also /ud5ts f ,granville
 ,mass4 ,b ! s*ool int]f]$ ) 8 o!r      
bus9ess1 & he discont9u$ x4 ,he         
manufactur$ ab\t ?is "t a good _m sets (
 surveyors in/rum5ts--compasses1 *a9s1  
scales1 protractors1 & divid]s1 "s = 8  
pupils & "s = o!rs4 ,he also            
manufactur$1 magnets1 electrical ma*9es1
 level+ in/rum5ts1 & "s o!rs4 ,he 0     
greatly atta*$ to ! bus9ess ( survey+1 &
 _h m applications ?an he c\ld att5d to4
 ,he 0 compell$ to leave x 9 #ahbe1 & g 
into ! bus9ess ( civil eng9e]+1 :i* also
 9 a few ye>s1 gave way = ! bus9ess (   
manufactur+ telescopes4 ,at !           
comm5cem5t1 he nev] ?\ght ( its ev]     
becom+ a bus9ess ( pr(it4 ,ab\t ! ye>   

#ahcj he _h complet$ an a*romatic       
telescope1 :i* he took to ,new ,hav51 & 
ask$ ,pr(4 ,b5jam9 ,silliman to look at 
x4 ,he did s1 & at once took an int]e/ 9
 x1 & publi%$ a notice ( x 9 ! ,am]ican 
,j\rnal ( sci5ce1 ( :i* he 0 editor4 ,he
 manufactur$ pr9cipally ,reflect+       
telescopes1 ( ! ,h]s*elian k9d4 ,ab\t ! 
ye> #ahcc1 he began to h ord]s =        
telescopes4 ,among ^! ord]s 0 "o f      
,william ,j4 ,"y1 a celebrat$           
,philosophical in/rum5t mak] (          
,philadelphia1 :o want$ two small       
diagonal metallic reflectors = two      
,transit in/rum5ts t he 0 mak+4 ,mr     
,holcomb made ! articles want$1 & ?\ght 
he w\ld take !m & a telescope & visit   
,philadelphia4 ,mr ,"y introduc$ him to 
! late ,se>s ,c4 ,walk]1 & ,mr ,walk]   
introduc$ him to ,mr ,hamilton1 ,actu>y 
( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute ( ! ,/ate (      
,p5nsylvania1 & ! ,actu>y appo9t$ a     
committee to exam9e ! telescope4 ,he    
select$ ! committee f ! /&+ committee on
 ,sci5ce & ! ,arts ( ! ,in/itute4 ,mr   

,patt]son ( ! ,m9t1 ,alex&] ,d4 ,ba*    
sup]9t5d5t ( ! ,coa/ survey1 ,dr ,rob]t 
,h>e ! *emi/1 ,james ,p4 ,espey1 ,se>s  
,c4 ,walk]1 ,isiah ,t4 ,luk5s & "s o!rs4
 ,^! 7 among ! fir/ sci5tific m5 (      
,am]ica4 ,! committee exam9$ !          
telescope1 & comp>$ x ) o!rs ( ,european
 manufacture4 ,! ,report ( t committee  
may be f\nd 9 ! ,j\rnal ( ! ,frankl9    
,in/itute ,vol4 #ad p4 #afi4 ,! next ye>
 #ahce he took a l>g] telescope to      
,philadelphia1 & (f]$ x to ! same       
committee = exam9ation & comp>ison )    
,european telescopes4 ,t ,report may be 
f\nd 9 ! ,j\rnal ( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute 
,vol #af p4 #aa4 ,! next ye> #ahcf he   
pres5t$ a ,telescope #ad feet long to ! 
same committee4 ,_! report may be f\nd 9
 ! ,j\rnal ( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute ,vol4 
#ah p4 #cab4 ,^! ,reports furni% ! be/  
in=mation 9 reg>d to ! p]=mance ( ^!    
telescopes4 ,! committee gave !m a high 
"*1 & !y 7 sold 9 almo/ e /ate 9 !      
,union4 ,"o w5t to ,s]amp 9 ! ,ea/      
indies1 & "o to "o ( ! ,s&wi* isl&s 9 ! 

,pacific ocean4 ,:ile he 0 pursu+ 8     
labors z ,eng9e]1 & manufactur+         
,telescopes1 & o!r in/rum5ts1 9 #ahci ! 
news rea*$ ?is c\ntry f ,p>is1 (        
,dagu]re's great discov]y ( tak+        
pictures on silv] plates by sol> light4 
,! discov]] _h n !n succe$$ 9 tak+      
lik5esses f life4 ,holcombe imm$iately  
comm5c$ exp]im5t+ & soon succe$$ 9 tak+ 
portraits1 on silv] plates1 made        
s5sitive to light by ,iod9e4 ,!re 0 soon
 a great dem& = in/rum5ts to take       
portraits4 ,he _h = a consid]able "t z  
mu* z he c\ld d to supply ! applications
 he receiv$ = ^! in/rum5ts1 f #ahci to  
#ahde4 ,z ! calls = ^! in/rum5ts less5$ 
he cont9u$ ! manufacture ( telescopes4  
,he 0 ! fir/ t sold a telescope (       
,am]ican manufacture4 ,all ! telescopes 
us$ 9 ?is c\ntry be=e #ahcc1 _h be5     
obta9$ 9 ,europe4 ,x _h be5 said t !y   
c\ld n be made 9 ?is c\ntry4 ,he _h be5 
greatly assi/$ 9 8 sales1 by ! influ5ce 
& recomm5dation ( sci5tific m54 ,x 0    
soon discov]$ t telescopes c\ld be made 

9 ,am]ica & ab\t #ahde1 "o aft] ano!r   
w5t into ! bus9ess1 & !re is n[ no fur!r
 ne$ ( go+ to ,europe = telescopes1 z   
good ones c be made 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates z 
c be made 9 ,europe4 ,! :ole m>ket 0 9 8
 h&s dur+ ?irte5 ye>s4 ,dur+ ?is "t !   
bus9ess 0 good & paid well4 ,!          
competition aft]w>d r$uc$ ! pr(it4 ,9   
#ahaf he 0 *os5 select man & assessor 9 
8 own t[n1 :i* (fice he held dur+ f\r   
successive ye>s1 & held ! (fice         
occasionally by subsequ5t elections4 ,9 
#ahcb he 0 *os5 to repres5t ! t[n 9 !   
,legislature ( ,mass & he 0 reelect$    
?ree successive t]ms4 ,9 #aheb he 0     
elect$ to ! ,/ate s5ate4 ,9 #ahcc he 0  
appo9t$ a ,ju/ice ( ! ,peace = ! c\nty (
 ,hampd51 :i* (fice he has held e ye>   
s9ce1 & 8 la/ commission does n expire  
until ,may #ahge1 at :i* "t1 if he %\ld 
live to see x1 he w be b a few days less
 ?an #hh ye>s old4 ,9 #ahcg he receiv$ f
 ,williams ,college ! ,honor>y degree ( 
,a4,m4 ,9 #ahca he 0 orda9$ a m9i/] 9 ! 
,me?odi/ ,episcopal *ur*4 ,he prea*$    

con/antly on ! sabba? dur+ _m ye>s1 &   
aft]w>d occasionally until he 0 eighty  
ye>s old4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure       
#a4--,page f manuscript sket* ( ! life (
 ,amasa ,holcomb1 n[ 9 ! collections ( !
 ,u4,s4 ,national ,museum4              
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #b4--;,h]s*elian 
reflect+ telescope 7,,usnm #cajeih7     
built by ,amasa ,holcomb & %[n by him at
 ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute1 ,philadelphia1 9 
#ahce4 ,! ,in/itute's report ( !        
demon/ration is giv5 9 ! app5dix 7p4    
#ahb74 7,smi?sonian photo #aajjj-;a7    
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #c4--;,eyepiece &
 tripod head ( ! ,holcomb reflect+      
telescope %[n 9 figure #b4 7,smi?sonian 
photo #aajjj7  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure   
#d4--,transit telescope 7,,usnm #cajeii7
 made by ,amasa ,holcomb4 ,! ap]ture is 
#a in*es1 l5g? #ba in*es1 & axis #ad    
in*es4 ,x lacks ! orig9al support4      
7,smi?sonian photo #dcdgb-;c7     ,,ii4 
,h5ry ,fitz1 #ahjh-ahfc  ,julia ,fitz   
,h[ell       ,h5ry ,fitz di$ sudd5ly    
?r\gh an accid5t 9 #ahfc1 :5     he 0 9 

8 #ee? ye>4 ,8 wid[ clos$ 8 %op 9 ,new  
,york ,city & mov$ ! equipm5t to        
,s\?old1 ,long ,isl&1     :]e x 0 us$ by
 8 son to complete c]ta9 contracts 9    
progress4 ,!reaft] x rema9$ ess5tially z
 x 0 until     ne>ly ! pres5t "t1 :5 !  
%op 0 (f]$ to ! ,u4,s4     ,national    
,museum ( ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution by  
,mrs4 ,julia     ,fitz ,h[ell1          
gr&daught] ( ,fitz4 ,! decision to      
con/ruct     a new ,museum ( ,hi/ory &  
,te*nology made x possible to     accept
 ?is g5]\s (f]1 & ! complicat$ project (
     transf]r+ ! %op & reassembl+ x 0   
accompli%$ 9     #aieg ?r\gh ! assi/ance
 ( ,mr4 ,l4 ,c4 ,ei*n]4#ac      ,al?\gh 
a few duplicate items 7 elim9at$1 ! %op 
is     ess5tially complete1 includ+ su* 
items z ,fitz's acc\nt     books1 !     
small r\ge box he us$ to poli% l5ses 9 !
     c\rse ( a walk1 & 8 door key4      
,?r\gh ! assi/ance     ( ,mr4 ,ei*n] &  
,mr4 ,ar?ur ,v4 ,a4 ,fitz ! ,smi?sonian 
has     obta9$ a comet-seek] telescope &
 ,fitz's fir/ in/rum5t1     a small draw

 telescope4      ,! foll[+ biographical 
sket* 0 writt5 by ,mrs4 ,h[ell     on ! 
basis ( pap]s 9 ! possession ( ! family4
  ,h5ry ,fitz1 inv5tor & telescope mak]1
 0 born 9 ,newburyport1 ,massa*usetts1  
on ,decemb] #ca1 #ahjh4 ,little is kn[n 
( 8 "m1 ,susan ,page ,fitz1 except t %e 
0 probably ( ,scotti% ance/ry4 ,8 fa!r1 
,h5ry ,fitz1 ,sr41 0 a hatt] by trade & 
! y\nge/ son ( ,m>k ,fitz1 :o = sev]al  
ye>s repres5t$ 8 city 9 ! ,massa*usetts 
,g5]al ,c\rt4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure   
#e4--,! telescope-mak]'s %op ( ,h5ry    
,fitz z recon/ruct$ 9 ! ,u4,s4 ,national
 ,museum4 7,smi?sonian photo #dfede7    
,newburyport 0 !n a prosp]\s & fa/ gr[+ 
m>itime community & ! ,fitzes1 ?\gh n   
among its weal?y citiz5s1 7 a public    
spirit$ & reasonably prosp]\s family4 ,z
 9 o!r sections ( ,new ,engl&1 ! ,w> (  
#ahab made great *anges 9 ?is pleas+    
picture4 ,! t[n's %ipp+ & %ip-build+ _h 
be5 br\ght almo/ to a /&/ill & all its  
bus9ess suff]$ disa/r\sly4 ,aft] ! w>   
recov]y 0 v sl[4 ,s9ce few ne$$ or c\ld 

af=d new beav] hats1 ,h5ry ,fitz 9 #ahai
 took 8 wife & ?ree small *ildr5 fir/ to
 ,albany1 ,new ,york1 :]e he work$ at 8 
trade = a:ile1 & lat] to ,new ,york     
,city4  ,to "y ,h5ry1 ag$ elev51 ,new   
,york 0 an excit+ & /imulat+ place & he 
wat*$ all its activities ) eag] int]e/4 
,! fa!r f\nd ! city /imulat+ 9 a diff]5t
 way4 ,an en?usia/ic ,univ]sali/1 he met
 9 ,new ,york _m p]sons ) simil> lean+s4
 ,he soon e/abli%$ a religi\s weekly1 ,!
 ,gospel ,h]ald1 :i* he edit$ = sev]al  
ye>s4 ,x is !re=e n surpris+ t "y ,h5ry 
0 set to le>n+ ! pr9t]'s trade1 b al?\gh
 he rapidly became skill$1 he didn't    
especially l ! trade4 ,:at he mo/ enjoy$
 ab\t x 0 t9k]+ ) ! ma*9]y ( ! %op4 ,9  
?is 8 me*anical ability soon became     
evid5t4 ,:5 8 fa!r rel9qui%$ 8          
editor%ip1 ,h5ry1 !n n9ete51 gladly     
turn$ to diff]5t "w4  ,he *ose          
locksmi?+1 :i* he le>n$ spe$ily & well 9
 ! %op ( ,william ,day ( ,new ,york4 ,! 
ye>s #ahcj to #ahci f\nd him travell+   
betwe5 ,new ,york1 ,philadelphia1       

,baltimore1 & ,new ,orleans1 foll[+ !   
activities ( ! build+ trades & try+ by  
long h\rs & au/]e liv+ to save money = a
 locksmi? %op ( 8 own4 ,= ! sake ( bo?  
heal? & pocketbook1 he nev] rode if he  
c\ld walk1 nei!r drank nor smok$1 ate   
little meat1 & liv$ *iefly on graham    
bread & wat]4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure   
#f4--;,h5ry ,fitz1 f a photograph 9 !   
collections ( ! ,u4,s4 ,national        
,museum4 7,smi?sonian photo #ddeid-;b7  
,ev5+s 7 sp5t 9 read+1 /udy1 & ! pursuit
 ( hobbies1 *ief ( :i* 0 a/ronomy4 ,8   
di>ies & lett]s ( ?is p]iod %[ him buy+ 
telescopes & l5ses & c>ry+ !m ) him on 8
 travels4 ,he fir/ made a telescope 9   
#ahch1 a reflector1 ) :i* he delight$ to
 %[ ! />s & planets to 8 fri5ds4 ,!     
well-kn[n ,rev]5d ,clapp ( ,new ,orleans
 ref]r$ to him 9 a public address z 8!  
"y locksmi? :o knew m ab\t ! heav5ly    
bodies ?an anyone else 9 ! ,unit$       
,/ates40 ,h5ry 0 pleas$ ) ?is complim5t1
 ev5 :ile deprecat+ ! en?usiasm :i*     
prompt$ x4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure      

#g4--;,c]tificate ( aw>d to ,h5ry ,fitz1
 ,jr41 by ! ,am]ican ,in/itute1 #aheb1  
8,= ! be/ a*romatic telescope40         
7,smi?sonian photo #dfhae-;a7           
,illu/ration3 ,,figure                  
#h4--;,adv]tisem5t ( ,h5ry ,fitz1 ab\t  
#ahej4 7,smi?sonian photo #ddeid-;a7    
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #i4--,refract+   
telescope1 comet seek]1 7,,usnm #cagjbg7
 by ,h5ry ,fitz1 #h-;in* ap]ture1       
#fa-;in* tube1 fitt$ = equatorial m\nt+4
 ,! /& is lack+4 7,smi?sonian photo     
#dfhae7  ,al?\gh he sav$ money1 8 "w did
 n br+ him ! f9ancial or o!r rew>ds t he
 _h hop$ =4 ,9 spr+ ( #ahci he appe>s to
 h work$ z a speculum mak] ) ,wolcott & 
o!rs--"o ( !m may h be5 8 acqua9tance   
,john ,johnson--& to h read ( ,dagu]re's
 "w 9 photography4 ,to le>n m ( ^!      
exp]im5ts1 z well z to inquire into     
optics & optical glass1 he sail$ to     
,europe 9 ,augu/ ( t ye>1 tak+ passage  
by /e]age4  ,he return$ to ,new ,york 9 
,novemb] #ahci & 9 t mon?1 accord+ to ! 
te/imony ( 8 son ,h>ry1 made a portrait 

) a cam]a inv5t$ by ,wolcott4 ,?is cam]a
 portrait he believ$ to be ! fir/ ev]   
made4 ,9 #ahdj1 aft] m exp]im5t+1 he set
 up a /udio 9 ,baltimore1 :]e 8 fa!r 0  
!n liv+1 & sp5t sev]al ye>s !re 8tak+   
lik5esses40 ,at ! same "t he cont9u$ to 
"w ) telescopes & l5ses4 ,8 fir/        
refractors 7 built !re1 in/rum5ts he    
lat] ref]r$ to z crude affairs4  ,:ile 9
 ,baltimore he took a /ep :i* m>ks !    
beg9n+ ( ! f9al phase ( 8 c>e]4 ,9 ,june
 #ahdd he m>ri$ ,julia ,ann ,wells (    
,s\?old1 ,long ,isl&1 :om he _h kn[n =  
ab\t a decade & ) :om he _h long        
correspond$4 ,julia 0 a woman ( unusual 
ability & p]sonality1 less sci5tific ?an
 he b m lit]>y & arti/ic1 & no less     
intellig5t4 ,) h] to enc\rage him1 he   
cont9u$ 8 exp]im5ts 9 telescope build+4 
,a ye> aft] _! m>riage !y mov$ to ,new  
,york1 :]e he 0 to sp5d ! rema9d] ( 8   
life4  ,t summ] he prep>$ a #f-;in*     
refract+ telescope = exhibition at !    
,fair ( ! ,am]ican ,in/itute1 held      
annually 9 ,new ,york4 ,?is c>efully    

con/ruct$ in/rum5t1 ) its +5i\s tripod &
 its a*romatic objective--:i* he _h made
 himself1 correct+ ! curves by a process
 ( 8 own inv5tion--won ! highe/ aw>d ( !
 ,fair1 a gold m$al4 ,x 0 ! fir/ ( _m   
su* m$als he 0 to e>n4 ,8 telescope also
 receiv$ favorable notice f sci5ti/s &  
a/ronom]s1 among !m ,lewis ,m4          
,ru!rfurd1 a weal?y ,new ,york] & tru/ee
 ( ,columbia ,college4 ,ru!rfurd        
imm$iately ord]$ a #d-;in* refractor = 8
 own obs]vatory4 ,8 int]e/ & example    
soon br\ght ord]s f o!rs4  ,f ?is "t on1
 ,h5ry ,fitz devot$ mo/ ( 8 en]gies to  
build+ telescopes4 ,cam]as 7 n altoge!r 
ab&on$4 ,he cont9u$ to make !m & to     
in/ruct o!rs 9 _! use4 ,he inv5t$ a     
cam]a l5s t 0 pat5t$ po/hum\sly4 ,he 0  
"o ( ! f\nd]s ( ! ,am]ican              
,photographical ,society & rema9$       
int]e/$ 9 x all 8 life4 ,b f #ahde on1  
cam]as became second>y2 he built !m     
betwe5 telescope ord]s4  ,illu/ration3  
,,figure #aj4--;,h5ry ,fitz made ?is    
#ac-;in* equatorial refractor 9 #ahfa = 

! ,allegh5y ,obs]vatory4 ,x is /ill 9   
use4 ,! ,univ]sity ( ,mi*igan has 9 use 
a ,fitz refractor ( simil> size4 7,photo
 c\rtesy ,allegh5y ,obs]vatory7  ,dur+ !
 ye>s t foll[$ he con/antly improv$ !   
quality ( 8 l5ses & ! accuracy & spe$ ) 
:i* he c\ld 8execute ! true curves10 z  
he express$ x4 ,he us$ bett] & bett]    
glass4 ,9 8 e>ly exp]im5ts he _h tak5   
:at came to h&--ord9>y tumbl] bottoms1 =
 in/ance4 ,9 8 #ahde prize w9n] he      
comb9$ ,bo/on-made fl9t ) ,fr5* plate   
glass4 ,b ! ,bo/on fl9t prov$ too ve9y =
 any b small l5ses & he soon 0 import+  
bo? cr[n & fl9t4 ,he design$ & built    
ma*9es1 run by foot p[]1 on :i* he c\ld 
tra9 employees to d mu* ( ! labor ( l5s 
mak+1 always res]v+ ! f9al poli%+ =     
himself4 ,he increas$ ! size z well z ! 
quality ( 8 l5ses4 ,by #ahef1 he 0 mak+ 
#ab-;in* refractors1 :i* accord+ to     
,pr(4 ,loomis1 7 z l>ge z any t _h !n   
be5 made 9 ,muni*4 ,he built lat]1 /ill 
l>g] ones1 ( :i* "o 0 a #af-;in*        
in/rum5t made = ,mr4 ,van ,duzee (      

,buffalo4 ,x 0 8 ambition to make a     
#bd-;in* "o1 b ?is project1 = :i* he _h 
made c>eful plans1 he did n live to     
complete4  ,"o ( 8 e>ly successes 0 a   
#c-;in* telescope = ! ,gov]nm5t (       
,haiti4 ,by a happy accid5t ! objective 
= ?is in/rum5t prov$ to be exceptionally
 f9e & provid$ a /&>d :i* he tri$ to    
meet 9 all 8 "w4 ,! telescopes (        
,european opticians became ano!r measur+
 /ick4 ,x 0 a matt] ( bo? p]sonal &     
patriotic pride to him t he1 an ,am]ican
 locksmi? untra9$ 9 optics1 _h be5 able 
to inv5t 8 own process = mak+ s complex 
& difficult a ?+ z an a*romatic l5s1 & t
 he 0 able to manufacture telescopes to 
compete ) ^? ( ,european make4 ,he      
sometimes contract$ to make a telescope 
equal 9 p]=mance to an import$ "o (     
simil> size1 usually at a l[] price4 ,! 
#f-;in* telescope made 9 #ahdi = ,lt4   
,j4 ,m4 ,gilliss to use on an           
a/ronomical exp$ition to ,*ile pass$ su*
 a te/ & greatly enhanc$ ,h5ry ,fitz's  
reputation4 ,ano!r t met su* a te/ 0 !  

#ac-;in* in/rum5t made = ! ,allegh5y    
,association at ,pittsburgh 9 #ahfa4  ,8
 telescopes 7 procur$ by private        
obs]vatories n already m5tion$1 among !m
 t ( ,van ,arsdale1 9 ,new>k1 & (       
,campbell1 9 ,new ,york4 ,= ,ru!rfurd he
 made sev]al1 includ+ a #i- & a #ab-;in*
 in/rum5t4 ,! latt] is n[ at ,columbia  
,univ]sity4 ,among ! telescopes made =  
colleges 7 a #ab-;in* "o = ,vass> &     
ano!r = ! ,univ]sity ( ,mi*igan4        
,besides ^! & o!r important in/rum5ts he
 made _m ( small] size--#d1 #e1 #f1 & #h
 in*es4  ,mo/ ( ! "t1 he 0 h&icapp$ by  
lack ( capital ) :i* to develop 8       
bus9ess4 ,! sav+s f locksmi?+ days he   
_h1 on 8 fa!r's advice1 inve/$ 9        
,baltimore real e/ate1 b f\nd x         
difficult to raise ca% on ?is prop]ty :5
 he ne$$ x4 ,) ! _m ord]s t came 91 ?is 
situation gradually improv$1 ?\gh he    
always cont9u$ to sup]vise all phases ( 
! process & to "w #ab to #af h\rs a day 
himself4 ,z soon z 8 elde/ son1 ,h>ry1 0
 old en\gh1 he taught him all he knew4  

,! boy prov$ an apt pupil & a great     
help4 ,by #ahfc ,h5ry ,fitz felt secure 
en\gh to give up r5t+1 & _h a h\se built
 = 8 family & bus9ess 9 #aa? ,/reet1 n  
_m blocks f 8 fri5d & patron1 ,mr4      
,ru!rfurd4 ,plans = ! future look$      
bright4 ,h[ev]1 ! family _h h>dly mov$  
into ! new home :5 disa/] befell4 ,a    
heavy *&eli] fell on ! ma/] ( ! h\se1   
caus+ injuries :i* 9 a few days prov$   
fatal4 ,h5ry ,fitz di$ on ,octob] #ca1  
#ahfc1 at ! height ( 8 c>e]1 leav+ to   
c>ry on 8 "w a wid[ & six *ildr51 !     
olde/ a girl ( eighte51 ! y\nge/ an     
infant4  ,8 son ,h>ry1 n yet sev5te51 0 
able satisfactorily to fulfill ! out/&+ 
contracts4 ,9 ?is he _h ! back+ & advice
 ( ,mr4 ,ru!rfurd4 ,9 fact1 ,h>ry       
cont9u$ ! bus9ess1 ?\gh on a small]     
scale1 = "s tw5ty ye>s4 ,ev5tually he   
became a tea*] ( draw+1 pursu+ ?is      
occupation = ov] =ty ye>s m4  ,z soon z 
possible ! wid[1 ,julia ,ann ,wells     
,fitz1 sold ! city h\se & b\ght a f>m 9 
,peconic1 ,long ,isl&1 ne> h] bir?place1

 :]e %e manag$ to raise h] family4 ,all 
! *ildr5 %[$ m>k$ ability4 ,l\ise1 !    
only daught]1 m>ri$ ,silas ,ov]ton (    
,peconic1 & us$ h] tal5ts 9 home &      
community4 ,! second son1 ,b5jam91      
became a not$ pa9t] be=e 8 e>ly dea? 9  
#ahij4 ,rob]t's reputation z a f9e      
me*anic 0 c\nty-wide4 ,*>les 0 a prom95t
 bus9ess & civic lead] 9 ,suffolk       
,c\nty4 ,george became a physician &    
inv5tor & 0 = a "t ,pr(essor at ,h>v>d4 
,all m>ri$1 & !re are n[ liv+ 9 ! ,unit$
 ,/ates ab\t fifty desc5dants ( ,h5ry   
,fitz1 telescope mak]4  ,a numb] ( 8    
in/rum5ts1 ?\gh made a c5tury ago1 are  
/ill 9 use4     ,,iii4 ,john ,peate1    
#ahbj-aijc  ,f4 ,w4 ,pre/on & ,william  
,j4 ,mc,grath1 ,jr4       ,al?\gh ,john 
,peate 0 born :5 ,holcomb 0 only #cc1   
& be=e t pione] telescope-mak] _h       
produc$ 8     fir/ in/rum5t1 he liv$    
well into ! "t :5 ,am]ican              
telescope-mak+ _h come ( age4 ,be=e     
,peate's dea? ,george     ,ell]y ,hale  
_h begun 8 c>e] z a promot] ( l>ge      

telescopes2 inde$1 ! ,y]kes #dj-;in*    
refractor 0 complet$     a ye> prior to 
,peate's deliv]y ( 8 own magnum opus1 a 
#fb-;in* reflector1 to ,! ,am]ican      
,univ]sity4 ,= #cd ye>s     ! ,univ]sity
 s\ght funds to f9ance ! in/allation (  
?is mirror1 until x f9ally became       
obsolete z a result (     advances 9 !  
te*nology ( glass mirror mak+4      ,9  
#aicd x 0 s5t by ! ,am]ican ,univ]sity  
to !     ,smi?sonian ,in/itution4 ,ab\t 
?is "t ,dr4 ,f4 ,w4 ,pre/on     und]took
 ! difficult task ( recon/ruct+ ,peate's
 c>e]     & p>ticul>ly ! /ory ( ! great 
mirror4 ,8 results     7 publi%$ 9 !    
,bullet9 ( ! ,am]ican ,c]amic ,society  
9 #aicf4      ,) ! graci\s p]mission (  
,dr4 ,pre/on & !     ,bullet91 ?is      
article has be5 cond5s$1 & augm5t$1 =   
publication "h by ,william ,j4          
,mc,grath1 ,jr41 ( ! ,unit$     ,/ates  
,national ,museum /aff4  ,john ,peate1  
bricklay]1 ,me?odi/ m9i/]1 & amateur    
extraord9>y 9 ! art ( telescope mak+1 0 
! fir/ born ( ,?omas & ,m>y ,peate4#ad  

,he 0 born on ,may #f1 #ahbj1 9 ! small 
nor!rn ,iri% t[n ( ,drumskelt4 ,:5 ,john
 0 sev51 8 fa!r1 a mason1 emigrat$ to   
,quebec1 ,canada1 ! fir/ ( sev]al moves 
to cities 9 ,canada & ! ,unit$ ,/ates1  
t]m9at+ 9 #ahcf 9 ,buffalo1 ,new ,york1 
:]e ! fa!r 0 to sp5d ! la/ sev5 ye>s ( 8
 life4#ae  ,no?+ is kn[n ( !            
circum/ances ( ,john's life dur+ ^! e>ly
 ye>s1 nor ( 8 education4 ,9 #ahcf1 at !
 age ( #af1 he ent]$ 8 fa!r's trade z an
 appr5tice bricklay]4 ,he work$ at ?is  
trade = ab\t sixte5 ye>s1 app>5tly      
int]mitt5tly1 = he seems to h be5 a     
/ud5t at ,ob]l9 ,college "p ( ! "t      
betwe5 #ahdb & #ahde4af ,9 ! latt] ye>  
he m>ri$ ,m>y ,elizabe? ,tild5 (        
,buffalo4  ,peate's c>e] z a bricklay]  
end$ 9 #ahea1 :5 he became a full-"t    
m9i/]1 hav+ be5 conv]t$ to 8 "m's       
religion4 ,?is came ab\t 9 consequ5ce ( 
8 att5dance1 :5 he 0 ab\t #bj ye>s old1 
at a ,me?odi/ revival4 ,!re he 0        
8conv]t$10 &1 ) *>act]i/ic en]gy &      
en?usiasm1 plung$ into 8 new religion4  

,8 att5dance at ,ob]l9 may h be5        
connect$ ) 8 prep>ation = ! m9i/ry4 ,9  
any case1 he />t$ to prea* 9 #ahdi1 on  
trial ) ! ,me?odi/ ,erie ,conf]5ce1 0   
orda9$ a deacon 9 #ahea1 & an eld] two  
ye>s lat]4 ,f ?is "t until he 0 made a  
sup]num]>y 9 #ahid he work$ full-"t z a 
m9i/]4  ,! mobility :i* m>k$ 8 e>ly life
 0 repeat$ 9 8 m9i/]ial c>e]4 ,includ+ 8
 probation>y t]m he held #ai diff]5t    
appo9tm5ts 9 #ad cities & t[ns 9        
nor?we/]n ,p5nsylvania1 nor!a/]n ,ohio1 
& s\?we/]n ,new ,york4 ,he 0 a          
successful & popul> m9i/]1 & is said to 
h conv]t$ "s #ejj p]sons at "o revival 9
 ,jame/[n1 ,new ,york4 ,j4 ,n4          
,frad5burgh1 hi/orian ( ! ,erie         
,conf]5ce1 beg9s 8 sket* ( ,peate's life
 ) ! phrase1 8,:o has n he>d ( ,john    
,peate80#ag  ,9 #ahei ,peate j\rney$ to 
,europe1 visit+ ,engl& & ,irel&1 & mak+ 
a walk+ t\r ( we/]n ,europe & ! ,middle 
,ea/4 ,8 biograph] ,frad5burgh h9ts t 8 
int]e/ 9 a/ronomy 0 ar\s$ on ?is trip4  
,9 any ev5t1 ^u 8 return home1 he took  

up ! /udy ( ! sci5ce4 ,8 fell[ m9i/]1   
,r4 ,n4 ,/ubbs report$ t 88 libr>y      
reveals t difficult & ab/ruse works     
became 8 delight40 ,at "s po9t 9 !      
p]usal ( ^! 8ab/ruse works10 ,peate     
decid$ to conc5trate on t basic tool1 ! 
telescope4 ,x is possible t he fir/ made
 a telescope1 z _m amateurs d1 to       
advance himself 9 ! /udy ( a/ronomy1 &  
only aft] complet+ x realiz$ t 8 prim>y 
int]e/ lay 9 ! in/rum5ts r ?an 9 !      
!oretical sci5ce4 ,8 natural aptitude = 
craftsman%ip probably ex]t$ a /rong     
influ5ce 9 ?is decision4  ,8 fir/       
in/rum5t 0 a #c-;in* refractor :i* he   
made & m\nt$ = 8 own use4 ,?is 0 ab\t   
#ahgj4 ,he next made ei!r a #f-;in*     
refractor or a #f-;in* reflector1 or    
p]haps bo?4 ,"o ( ^!1 if !re 7 two1 0   
m\nt$ by ,peate = use at ,*autauqua &   
,jame/[n1 ,new ,york1 & !n us$ 9 8 own  
obs]vatory at ,gre5ville4 ,aft] 8 dea? x
 0 tak5 to ,sal9a1 ,kansas1 by ,w4 ,f4  
,hoyt1 = a small obs]vatory !re4#ah     
,!reaft] ,peate made reflectors         

exclusively4 ,x is possible t he 0      
influ5c$ by ! treatise on ! mak+ (      
silv]$ glass reflectors1 by ,dr4 ,h5ry  
,drap]1 publi%$ by ! ,smi?sonian        
,in/itution 9 #ahfe1 a "w :i* l$ to a   
great improvem5t 9 ! con/ruction (      
reflectors 9 ?is c\ntry4#ai  ,attempts  
to trace ,peate's mirrors h be5 s+ul>ly 
inconclusive4 ,a #g-;in* reflector s5t  
to ,india 0 /ill 9 use 9 #aijc4bj ,a    
#ab-;in* reflector made = 8,h>riman     
,univ]sity1 ,t5nessee10 0 evid5tly      
m\nt$1 b no record ev5 ( ! obs]vatory   
has be5 f\nd at ! pres5t "t #aicf4ba ,a 
#ae-;in* mirror 9 a reflector locat$ at 
,allegh5y ,college 9 #aice 0 probably   
made by ,peate1 al?\gh ! ,college       
records d n %[ its orig91 nor d !y      
m5tion a #cj4e-;in* mirror :i* ,peate 0 
mak+ = ,allegh5y ,college 9 #ahia1      
accord+ to an article 9 ,! ,sci5tific   
,am]ican4#bb ,def9itely ,peate's 0 a    
#bb-;in* reflector f\nd 9 ab\t #aice1   
/ill 9 its pack+ case1 at ,?iel         
,college1 ,gre5ville1 ,p5nsylvania4#bc  

,altoge!r1 #aj l5ses & mirrors          
7sometimes also describ$ z 8l5ses07 h   
be5 trac$4 ,z _m z #bj 7 ascrib$ to him 
by "s s\rces at ! "t ( 8 dea?4 ,( ^!    
only 8 magnum opus1 ! #fb-;in* mirror n[
 9 ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution1 c n[ be   
f\nd4 ,mo/ ( !m seem nev] to h be5 us$1 
b ?is is n necess>ily an indication (   
defects 9 ! in/rum5ts4 ,z our           
consid]ation ( ! #fb-;in* mirror w %[1  
,peate 0 a compet5t mak]4 ,nor is x a   
consequ5ce ( 8 be+ an amateur4 ,_m ( !  
l>ge telescopes 9 ! _w 9 ! mid-n9eties  
_h l5ses & mirrors made by two o!r      
,am]icans1 ,john ,bra%e> & ,alv9 ,cl>k1 
:o1 l ,peate1 ent]$ telescope mak+ z    
amateurs4#bd ,b !y _h ! =tune to become 
associat$ ) well kn[n pr(essional       
a/ronom]s4 ,peate may h err$ 9 pres5t+ 8
 reflectors to in/itutions unable to    
f9ance _! in/allation4 ,p]haps 8 error 0
 9 pres5t+ r ?an sell+ !m4  ,we come n[ 
to ,dr4 ,peate's greate/ mirror1 !      
#fb-;in* reflector4 ,9 ,septemb] #ahic !
 annual meet+ ( ! ,erie ,conf]5ce 0 held

 at ,dubois1 ,p5nsylvania4 ,?is 0 to be 
,dr4 ,peate's la/ meet+ z an active     
m9i/]4 ,9 #ahid he w\ld become a        
sup]num]>y1 a position ( semiretirem5t1 
aft] :i* he w\ld retire4 ,9 ord] to     
honor ! old m9i/] & to m>k ! op5+ ( a   
new ,me?odi/ univ]sity1 ,am]ican        
,univ]sity1 at ,wa%+ton1 ,d4,c41 x 0    
decid$ to commission ,peate to make a   
telescope mirror = ! s*ool4 ,?is 0 to be
 no ord9>y reflector b ! l>ge/ 9 ! _w4  
,:ile ! facts surr\nd+ ?is commission & 
its accompli%m5t are a/\nd+ 9 !mselves x
 has inspir$ an ev5 m rem>kable leg5d1  
:i*1 al?\gh r unju/ to ! ability & good 
s5se ( ,dr4 ,peate1 indicates !         
impression 8 hobby _h made on 8         
contempor>ies4 ,accord+ to ?is leg5d1   
,john sudd5ly realiz$ at ! age (        
sev5ty-?ree t he mu/ h some?+ to occupy 
8 "t :ile retir$4  ,illu/ration3        
,,figure #aa4--,/&>d ,plate ,glass      
,company1 ,butl]1 ,p5nsylvania1 ) x m>k+
 build+ :]e ,peate's #fb-;in* disc 0    
ca/4 7,f ,pre/on1 fig4 #a47  8,:at am ,i

 to d all ! re/ ( my life80 he ask$ ( ! 
presid+ (fic] ( ! meet+1 ,bi%op ,hur/1  
:o 0 also *ancellor ( ! newly f\nd$     
,univ]sity4  8,oh1 /udy a/ronomy10 said 
! ,bi%op4  8,make a big telescope l5s10 
said ,dr4 ,wy!4  ,dr4 ,wy!1 ^: doctorate
 0 9 m$ic9e1 0 a m9i/] well kn[n 9 !    
conf]5ce z an inv5tor & te*nologi/4 ,!  
leg5d cont9ues t1 urg$ on by ,wy!1      
,peate ann\nc$ to ! conf]5ce1 8,i w make
 = ! new ,univ]sity ! l>ge/ telescope   
l5s 9 ! _w1 if y w defray ! out ( pocket
 exp5ses40  8,well1 h[ big a l5s c y    
make80 ask$ ! ,bi%op4  8,oh1 z big z t  
*>t on ! wall10 said ,peate4  8,get a   
rule & measure ! *>t40  ,! *>t 0 #fb    
in*es across4  8,(f] accept$4 ,"o       
#fb-;in* reflect+ telescope f ,dr4      
,peate10 ord]$ ! ,bi%op4#be  ,! m9utes (
 ! conf]5ce /ate3#bf      ,proposition (
 ,john ,peate ''' ,john ,peate made a   
proposition     to manufacture a l>ge   
reflect+ l5s = ! ,univ]sity     provid+ 
mat]ial = ! same 0 furni%$ him ''' a    
committee     ( #e 0 appo9t$ to take !  

same into consid]ation4 ,r4 ,n4         
,/ubbs1 ,g4 ,h4 ,humason1 ,n4 ,t4       
,arnold1 ,g4 ,p4 ,hukill1 & ,g4 ,b4     
,*ase 7 appo9t$ to t committee4  ,al?\gh
 he 0 #gc ye>s old ,peate 0 9 good heal?
 & _h trem5d\s vitality = "o 8 age4 ,he 
_h already made a numb] ( l>ge mirrors1 
s t he c\ld e/imate ! am\nt ( "t & en]gy
 he w\ld exp5d 9 ?is "w4 ,he knew t if  
he reta9$ 8 heal? = ! next few ye>s he  
c\ld complete x4  ,) 8 typical plann$   
en?usiasm he />t$ 8 prep>ations4 ,he    
wrote to 8 usual suppli] ,/4 ,goba9 (   
,france ask+ ! price ( a glass blank    
l>ge en\gh = a mirror ( ?is size4#bg ,!y
 quot$ a price ( #ah1jjj--m1 obvi\sly1  
?an he c\ld af=d4 ,he !n canvass$ !     
glassmak]s ( ,pittsburgh1 ! c5t] (      
,am]ican glassmak+4 ,h[ev]1 !           
,pittsburgh firms _h little exp]i5ce 9  
optical glass1 especially ( ?is size1 & 
none w\ld consid] mak+ ! blank4  ,hav+  
be5 rebuff$ 9 ,pittsburgh1 he approa*$ !
 ,/&>d ,plate ,glass ,company ( ,butl]1 
,p5nsylvania4 ,plate glass mak+1 at lea/

 pr(itable plate glass mak+1 0 new 9    
,am]ica & ! ,/&>d 0 "o ( ! new]         
companies4 ,moreov]1 x 0 reput$ "o ( !  
be/ plate glass mak]s 9 ! c\ntry4 ,peate
 wrote to ,h4 ,c4 ,tilton1 g5]al manag] 
( ! plant1 ask+ him = a disc ( glass )\t
 bubble or flaw #fb in*es 9 diamet] & #g
 in*es ?ick4 ,he fur!r advis$ him t he  
w\ld see him 9 a few days4 ,tilton's    
exp]i5ce & t ( 8 top sup]visors 0 limit$
 to ! bus9ess ( mak+ ord9>y plate glass4
 ,!re=e1 he s\ght advice z to !         
feasibility ( ?is fanta/ic project4 ,he 
consult$ ,george ,h[>d1 ma9t5ance eng9e]
 ( ! plant1 :o _h graduat$ f ,cornell   
only a ye> be=e4 ,george ,h[>d1 lat] to 
become not$ z an inv5tor ( glassmak+    
ma*9]y1 0 at ?is "t simply an optimi/ic 
"y eng9e]4  8,h[>d1 "h's a man at       
,gre5ville :o wants u to ca/ him a disc 
#fb in*es 9 diamet] & #g in*es ?ick4 ,is
 t possible80  ,h[>d calculat$ ! cubical
 cont5ts ( ! propos$ disc & repli$ t x 0
 j b>ely possible4 ,he didn't see any   
p>ticul> difficulty 9 x4 ,he ?\ght !    

fir/ few attempts might fail b felt t !y
 c\ld ca/ x successfully4 ,h[>d 0 lat]  
to ascribe 8 success m to 8 optimism &  
ignorance1 r ?an to any p>ticul>        
innovation he made4 ,aft] be+ reassur$  
by ,h[>d1 ,tilton cont9u$ 8,well1 ?is   
,dr4 ,peate is com+ d[n "h tomorr[ & he 
wants a quotation4 ,h[ mu* d y ?9k we   
ought to ask80  8,we'll h "s special    
app>atus to make & "s exp]im5t+ to d4   
,!n we'll probably lose two or ?ree pots
 ( glass4 ,i ?9k y'd bett] ask him      
#hjj40 ,h[>d ?\ght t ?is 0 pl5ty4       
,tilton1 h[ev]1 0 m cauti\s & d\bl$ !   
price4 ,peate arriv$ 9 ,butl] on s*$ule4
 ,:5 ,tilton nam$ 8 price1 ,peate1 (    
c\rse1 agre$ in/antly4 ,tilton 0 some:at
 %ock$ & probably w\ld h be5 m s _h he  
kn[n :at ,/4 ,g\ba9 _h ask$4 ,at any    
rate ! contract 0 plac$ ) ,/&>d1        
app>5tly 9 ,octob] #ahid4  ,hav+ obta9$ 
a mak] = 8 disc ,peate imm$iately began 
mak+ arrangem5ts to prep>e ! disc4 ,he  
contract$ ) ! ma*9e %op ( a ,john ,hodge
 = ! tools ) :i* ! mirror w\ld be work$4

 ,?is small firm1 ,! ,hodge ,manufactur+
 ,co41 employ$ only f\r m5 besides !    
own]4 ,among ^! 0 ,frank ,a',he>n1 !n j 
a boy1 :o became ! prime s\rce = details
 ( ! tools us$ by ,peate 9 ?is "w4 ,/>t+
 9 ,novemb] #ahid notes su* z1 8work$ = 
,dr4 ,peate #c h\rs0 beg9 to appe> 9 8  
workbook4#bh  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure    
#ab4--;,hodge's me?od ( cutt+ ! *eck]   
grooves4 7,f ,pre/on1 fig4 #f47  ,!     
,hodge company made sev]al 7probably    
?ree7 gr9d+ tools = ,peate4 ,"o 0 ab\t  
#ab in*es 9 diamet]1 & 0 to be us$ by   
h&4 ,two ( ! l>g] tools 7 provid$ ) !   
male memb] ( a ball & socket jo9t & 7 to
 be p[] driv54 ,!y 7 #cj & #dh in*es 9  
diamet]1 respectively4 ,! l>ge/ 0 groov$
 to a waffle-l surface on its convex    
face4 ,^! grooves 7 ab\t  in* wide &    
#c_/af in* deep4 ,?is patt]n 0 gr\nd by 
plac+ ! tool face up on a :eel$ buggy1  
:i* rode on camb]$ oak rails4 ,z x 0    
pu%$ along ! l5g? ( ! rail ! gr9d+ :eel 
on ! radius arm cut "o groove4 ,:5 !    
groove _h be5 cut1 ! radius arm 0 mov$  

#b in*es along a l9e %aft & ano!r groove
 cut4 ,:5 all ! grooves _h be5 cut 9 "o 
direction ! tool 0 turn$ #ij degrees on 
! buggy & ! o!r set ( grooves 0 gr\nd4  
,! gr9d+ ( ?is tool took _m weeks1 &    
mak+ ! tools & app>atus = ,peate may h  
kept ,hodge busy = ne>ly six mon?s4#bi  
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #ac4--;,face (   
l>ge/ gr9d+ tool made by ,hodge =       
,peate4 7,f ,pre/on1 fig4 #e;b47  ,!    
hi/ory ( ,peate's #fb-;in* mirror       
probably w\ld h rema9$ z obscure z t ( 8
 o!rs except = ! furor :i* arose ov]    
ca/+ ! disc4 ,! ,erie ,conf]5ce made no 
attempt to publicize ?is project1 & bo? 
,hodge ,manufactur+ & ,/&>d ,plate      
,glass accept$ ,dr4 ,peate's contracts z
 some:at unusual b h>dly newswor?y jobs4
 ,b :5 ! glass trade became aw>e (      
,/&>d's int5tion to ca/ ?is disc1 a     
mighty outcry arose4 ,in/ead ( enc\rag+ 
,/&>d to complete ?is novel task !      
,national ,glass ,budget1 "o ( ! lead+  
trade j\rnals1 revil$ !m z 8bumpk9s0 =  
attempt+ some?+ t ev5 ! great glassmak]s

 ( ,europe w\ld n d4  ,x is h>d to      
imag9e :y ! trade j\rnal s /r5u\sly     
object$ to ,/&>d's attempt4 ,x has be5  
sugge/$ t x d]iv$ f ! fact t ,/&>d      
,plate ,glass j previ\s to t "t _h      
refus$ to jo9 9 a comb9ation (          
,pittsburgh companies :i* _h set up a   
glass tru/4#cj ,or x is possible t ! "y 
indu/ry 0 afraid t an ov]ly ambiti\s    
project doom$ to failure might op5      
,am]ican glassmak+ to ,european ridicule
 & s h>m ! entire ,am]ican indu/ry4     
,:atev] ! reason1 ! ,budget ridicul$    
,/&>d ,plate ,glass1 & lat] ,dr4 ,peate1
 = ! attempt4 ,!y argu$ t x c\ld n be   
done1 b t if x 7 possible ,pittsburgh   
w\ld be ! logical place to try x4       
,criticism & unfavorable comm5t came f  
o!r s\rces also1 includ+ 8univ]sity     
pr(essors f ,meadville0 7evid5tly       
,allegh5y ,college74#ca ,none!less1     
,/&>d ,plate ,glass />t$ ! project4     
,george ,h[>d 0 9 *>ge ( ! ca/+         
op]ation4 ,he plann$ to use ! glass f a 
pot regul>ly us$ 9 ! r\t9e manufacture (

 plate glass4 ,h[ev]1 c]ta9             
modifications 7 introduc$ 9 ! proc$ure4 
,! glass 0 to be p\r$ on ! travel+ ca/+ 
table1 ^u :i* 0 plac$ a circul> mold    
made up ( two semicircles ( a special   
*>coal iron obta9$ f ,philadelphia4 ,?is
 iron 0 n apt to g5]ate bubbles ( gas :5
 9 contact ) ! molt5 glass4  ,! iron    
mold 0 h+$ at "o jo9t ( ! semicircles1 &
 ! o!r jo9t 0 bolt$4 ,aft] ! ca/ 0 p\r$ 
x w\ld be all[$ to cool some:at4 ,:5 x 0
 judg$ cool en\gh1 x w\ld be pu%$ into a
 kiln to be anneal$4 ,aft] x _h rema9$ 9
 ! kiln a c]ta9 l5g? ( "t--aga9 bas$    
simply on judgem5t--a quantity (        
pre-heat$ s& 0 to be p\r$ ov] ! mold z  
insulation4 ,a fur!r innovation 0 ! use 
( a z9c %eet plac$ on ! und]side ( !    
mold to avoid ! possibility ( tr\ble f  
grease on ! ca/+ table4 ,?is 0 ! initial
 plan ( op]ation4  ,sometime e>ly 9     
#ahie ! fir/ attempt 0 made4 ,x 0 an    
imm$iate failure4 ,! z9c %eet1 int5d$ to
 protect ! ca/ f grease1 volatiliz$ :5 !
 molt5 glass 0 p\r$ on x1 bubbl$ up     

?r\gh ! glass1 &1 ( c\rse1 ru9$ ! ca/4  
,! second attempt 0 evid5tly made       
sometime 9 ,m>*4 ,! ca/+ itself 0       
successful4 ,s& _h be5 sub/itut$ = ! z9c
 %eet4 ,! ca/ 0 plac$ 9 ! kiln1 & :5 x 0
 ?\ght to be set ! insulat+ s& 0 p\r$   
ov] x4 ,aft] a "t v>i\sly e/imat$ at f  
#d to #aa days1 ! ca/ 0 consid]$        
suffici5tly anneal$1 & 0 exam9$4  ,:5 ! 
s& 0 remov$1 ! disc 0 f\nd 9 fragm5ts4  
,!re 0 also a l>ge concavity 9 :at w\ld 
h be5 ! face ( ! disc4 ,! s& _h be5 p\r$
 ov] x be=e ! glass 0 suffici5tly set4  
,h[ev]1 ! disc _h be5 de/roy$ by its    
iron mold4 ,! mold _h contract$ aga9/ ! 
disc1 b5d+ ! bolt & de=m+ ! h+es1 & ?is 
trem5d\s pressure _h %att]$ ! glass4 ,! 
next issue ( ! trade pap] jubilantly    
not$ ! failures4 ,!y also includ$ ,dr4  
,peate 9 _! d]ision4 ,!y said 9 effect t
 at lea/ ?is exp]i5ce w\ld save ! old   
prea*] ! wa/e ( _m ye>s ( "t & ef=t4#cb 
,?is slur on _! mo/ e/eem$ citiz5 br\ght
 ! ,gre5ville pap]s into ! battle4 ,!   
,budget _h also made ! mi/ake ( imply+ t

 any numb] ( ,pittsburgh manufactur]s 7 
will+ & able to make ! disc4 ,john      
,morrison1 at t "t editor ( ! ,gre5ville
 ,advance ,argus1 & s\rce ( mu* ( our   
in=mation reg>d+ ?is controv]sy1        
imm$iately call$ ! bluff ( ! trade pap]1
 :i* 0 able to supply b "o "n1 t ( a    
,george ,a4 ,mc,beth ,company4 ,?is firm
 promptly decl9$ )\t qualification4     
,lat] ! "n ( ! ,phillips ,semn] ,co4 0  
giv51 & ?is firm gu>ante$ a p]fect disc 
)9 #fj days = a 8remun]ative price10 b  
w\ld n /ate :at ?is price 04#cc ,!re=e  
,dr4 ,peate c\ld n deal ) ! firm4       
,al?\gh ! hue & cry cont9u$ = a few m   
weeks1 ! battle 0 really ov]1 = ,h[>d 0 
soon to ca/ 8 disc4 ,he _h replac$ !    
iron bolts 9 8 mold ) bolts ( r$ oak    
dipp$ 9 nitric acid & !n *>r$4 ,!       
purpose ( ?is 0 to relieve ! /ra9 on !  
glass by hav+ ! wood5 pegs break z !    
mold contract$4  ,! ?ird ca/ 0 9 ! kiln 
& 9 process ( be+ anneal$ :5 ,h[>d read 
9 ! ,budget an article t set =? !       
difficulties ( successfully ca/+ optical

 glass4 ,?is article 0 anonym\s & 0     
obvi\sly ! "w ( an exp]t2 x is ?\ght to 
h be5 writt5 by ,john ,bra%e>4#cd       
,al?\gh ,h[>d 0 ?or\ghly disc\rag$ by   
?is article1 ! ca/ _h already be5 made &
 no h>m c\ld be done n[ by all[+ x to   
cool & be exam9$4  ,9 ,may #ahie ,h[>d1 
) ! workm51 op5$ ! kiln4 ,! mold 0      
loose1 s ! pegs _h %e>$ z expect$4 ,:5 !
 s& 0 remov$ ! disc 0 f\nd to be :ole4  
,a close inspection reveal$ no obvi\s   
faults4 ,! disc 0 g5tly c>ri$ to an     
inspection room & ,dr4 ,peate 0         
imm$iately s5t =4 ,he arriv$1 exam9$ !  
disc = a mom5t1 !n said1 8,give me a    
hamm]40 ,be=e anyone c\ld move he seiz$ 
a ne>by hat*et & knock$ (f ! sprue1 or  
tail left z ! pot 0 remov$ f ! mold4 ,! 
onlook]s fe>$ ! l5s w\ld 8explode10 z   
pr$ict$ by its detractors1 b ! only     
result 0 ! removal ( ! tail1 z ,dr4     
,peate expect$4#ce  ,! ,budget 0 /ill   
say+ x c\ldn't be done4 ,comm5t+ on a   
,may #a1 #ahie1 ann\ncem5t ( ! removal (
 ! disc f ! kiln1 ! pap] seiz$ on ! fact

 t ! disc 0 /ill w>m to pr$ict t x w\ld 
be %att]$ be=e ,peate c\ld exam9e x1 &  
reit]at$ its l[ op9ion ( ,/&>d ,plate4  
,by ! "t ?is issue 0 9 ! h&s ( its      
read]s h[ev]1 ! disc _h be5 inspect$ &  
approv$ by ,peate4  ,newspap]s 9        
,pittsburgh & else:]e c>ri$ ! news ( !  
great ,am]ican disc4 ,! emb>rass$       
,budget repli$ t x 0 n talk+ ab\t ! m]e 
ca/+ ( ! disc b ! completion ( ! mirror4
 ,x feign$ surprise t ?is 0 all t 0 to  
be done 9 ,butl]4 ,ev5 z late z ,may    
#bd1 #ahie1 ! ,butl] ,democratic ,h]ald 
0 /ill def5d+ its t[n4 ,x conclud$ an   
editorial on ! issue ?us3      ''' we h 
a feel+ he ,! ,budget has set 8 foot 9 x
     :5 he goes to poke fun at ! ,/&>d  
ab\t ca/+ !     bigge/ mold on e>?1 & ! 
end ( x may be a repetition (     ! old 
saw 8he :o laughs la/ laughs be/40  ,a  
week be=e ?is1 h[ev]1 ! success ( ?is   
ca/+ _h be5 made m or less (ficial by an
 ann\ncem5t to t effect 9 ! ,may #ag1   
#ahie1 issue ( ,sci5ce1 a publication ( 
! ,am]ican ,association = ! ,advancem5t 

( ,sci5ce & probably ! mo/ highly reg>d$
 sci5tific pap] ( ! "t4  ,illu/ration3  
,,figure #ad4--,surfac+ ma*9e us$ by    
,peate4 7,f ,pre/on1 fig4 #d47  ,on     
,june #a1 #ahie1 ,/&>d ,plate r5d]$     
,peate an invoice1 n = #afjj1 b = #dej4 
,evid5tly _! "w 0 done at co/4 ,! disc 0
 n[ remov$ to ,gre5ville :]e ,dr4 ,peate
 _h erect$ a %op to gr9d1 poli%1 &      
figure x4 ,z ! disc 0 slightly out (    
r\nd ! fir/ op]ation 0 to make x        
p]fectly circul>4 ,peate did ?is r\ghly 
by spall+ (f pieces ( ! edge ) 8        
bricklay]'s hamm]4 ,! f9al r\nd+ 0 done 
) ! aid ( ! iron hoops t _h made ! mold4
 ,dr4 ,peate f$ /eel %ot betwe5 ! edge (
 ! disc & ! iron semicircles4 ,he rotat$
 ! disc on ! turntable & ?us r\nd$ x (f4
  ,aft] ?is _h be5 done he comm5c$ !    
r\gh gr9d+4 ,us+ ! l>ge *eck]bo>d tool1 
/eel %ot1 & levigat$ em]y ,dr4 ,peate   
gr\nd out a r\gh holl[4 ,?is took only a
 few days4 ,george ,h[>d /at$ t ! dep? (
 ! concavity 0 ab\t  in* & ! %ape       
correct to )9 ab\t #a_/aj1jjj in*4 ,!   

calculat$ concavity ( ! mirror w\ld be  
#f_/aj in*4 ,peate evid5tly us$ ! usual 
me?od 9 poli%+ ! l>ge mirror1 t is1 he  
cov]$ ! tool face ) pit* & us$ r\ge     
7iron oxide7 z ! abrasive4 ,?is me?od _h
 be5 us$ = _m ye>s be=e ?is "t & is /ill
 9 use today4  ,! figur+1 :i* consi/s ( 
remov+ high spots to a*ieve a truly     
p>abolic cont\r1 probably took ! longe/ 
"t to complete4 ,a mirror mu/ be        
cont9ually te/$ z ?is poli%+ is be+     
done1 & s9ce ! poli%+ w>ms ! glass &    
di/orts its %ape1 x is necess>y to all[ 
a long "t = ! glass to cool be=e x c be 
te/$4 ,peate e/imat$ t poli%+ & figur+ !
 mirror took #gej h\rs4#cf  ,we d n h a 
really accurate acc\nt ( h[ he te/$ !   
mirror4 ,un=tunately none ( !           
eyewitnesses to ^! te/s _h any k (      
optics or ( /&>d te/+ proc$ure4 ,!      
in=mation ( ^? :o _h su* k is all at    
lea/ secondh& & sometimes ev5 m remote4 
,j4 ,w4 ,feck]1 successor to ,bra%e>1#cg
 :o 0 "o ( a gr\p t exam9$ ! mirror 9   
#aibc1 /ates t ,peate did n use ! knife 

edge te/ b t he did use a p9 ) a hole 9 
its head 9 "o ( ! te/s us$ at t "t4  ,a 
v>iety ( diff]5t te/s & div]sions ) !   
mirror h be5 report$4 ,dr4 ,peate w\ld  
ent]ta9 visitors 9 v>i\s ways4 ,"o ( ^! 
0 to tra9 ! mirror on an apple or*>d 9 a
 valley a few miles away4 ,9 ano!r      
,peate w\ld pull out "o ( 8 :isk]s &    
hang x on a f5ce ne>ly a qu>t] ( a mile 
away4 ,peate himself tells ( ! "t sp5t 9
 te/+ ! mirror1 b does n g into detail  
ab\t ! proc$ure4 ,he does m5tion a te/+ 
table t /ood ab\t #ge feet away f !     
revolv+ table on :i* ! mirror re/$4 ,he 
says fur!r t ! mirror 0 te/$ 89 all ways
 kn[n1 9 ! %op & on a p9 & a wat* dial a
 ?\s& feet di/ant40 ,( ^! only ! p9 te/ 
seems to h be5 a conv5tional "o4#ch     
,aft] ! poli%+1 ! mirror 0 silv]$4 ,said
 ,peate3 8,x 0 silv]$ & tri$ on ! heav5s
 9 ! />less region "u ,corvus1 & "u ! v 
imp]fect managem5t ( ! mirror on        
telescopic />s1 ! report 0 z good z c\ld
 be expect$40#ci ,dr4 ,peate mu/ h sp5t 
"s "t te/+ x on ! />s4 ,! mirror 0      

evid5tly complet$ sometime late 9 summ] 
( #ahig1 & :5 ,peate 0 satisfi$ t x 0 z 
p]fect z possible1 he made arrangem5ts  
to s5d x to ,am]ican ,univ]sity4 ,he    
also design$ ! %ipp+ case to protect x  
on ! trip to ,wa%+ton4 ,x is describ$ 9 
! ,univ]sity pap] z foll[s3#dj      ,?is
 consi/s ( a box 9 :i* ! glass is pack$ 
& a     :eel$ truck 9 :i* x is swung4 ,x
 is swung on its edge     by iron b&s1  
:i* g ar\nd x ov] an iron belt :i*      
encircles x4  ,aft] wait+ = ! case1 he  
enc\nt]$ a fur!r delay by reason ( !    
fact t ! express company _h no (fice at 
,gre5ville4 ,h[ev] ! great glass f9ally 
0 load$ on ! tra91 & on ,augu/ #bd1     
#ahih1 x arriv$ safely at ,am]ican      
,univ]sity4  ,al?\gh all p>ties conc]n$ 
9 ?is project seem$ optimi/ic1 no       
provision = m\nt+ ! mirror _h yet be5   
made4 ,! ,univ]sity pap] :i* ann\nc$ !  
safe arrival ( ! glass hop$1 at a lat]  
date1 t--      "s day1 we tru/ be=e     
long1 a noble & g5]\s giv] w     appe>1 
:o w provide = ! prop] m\nt+ ( ?is      

mirror     & also build a wor?y h\s+4   
,?is donor 0 nev] to appe>4 ,five ye>s  
lat]1 9 ann\nc+ ! dea? ( ,peate1 !      
,c\ri] 0 /ill appeal+ = funds to m\nt ! 
mirror4 ,late 9 #aijc x ann\nc$ t a     
g5tleman 9 ,p5nsylvania w\ld contribute 
#ajj1jjj to defray ! co/ ( an obs]vatory
 to h\se ! mirror1 b no?+ fur!r 0 ev]   
he>d ( ?is g5tleman4 ,e>li]1 be=e !     
mirror _h be5 made1 ! ,rev]5d ,h4 ,g4   
,s$gwick ( ,na%ville1 ,t5nessee1 _h (f]$
 to m\nt & equip ! mirror on ! same t]ms
 "u :i* ,peate _h made x4 ,t is1 he w\ld
 d ! "w if someone w\ld donate ! co/ & !
 mat]ial4 ,b ( ?is (f]1 too1 no?+ fur!r 
0 he>d4 ,possibly he di$ be=e ! mirror 0
 complet$4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure      
#ae4--,! #fb-;in* telescope reflector   
disc 7,,usnm #cajhii71 ca/ by ,/&>d     
,plate ,glass ,company1 ,april #bj1     
#ahie1 & figur$ by ,john ,peate4 ,x     
weighs #bejj p\nds4 ,%[n "h z x hangs 9 
its protective crate1 ?is cle> gre5     
glass mirror w be a feature ( ! exhibit 
( optics & a/ronomy n[ be+ prep>$ = !   

,smi?sonian's new ,museum ( ,hi/ory &   
,te*nology1 s*$ul$ to op5 soon aft]     
#aifb4 7,smi?sonian photo #daagb7  ,!   
mirror 0 to rema9 unt\*$ = "s #bd ye>s4 
,9 #aibb ! 8,gre5ville ,r\ndtable10 a   
gr\p report$ly f\nd$ by ,dr4 ,peate1    
allocat$ #ij to ! ,rev]5d ,h4 ,g4 ,dodds
 to inve/igate ! disposition ( ! mirror4
 ,9 t same ye> ! ,erie ,conf]5ce appo9t$
 ,dodds a committee ( "o to report on ! 
same matt]4 ,dodds visit$ ,am]ican      
,univ]sity & conf]r$ ) ! *ancellors4 ,!y
 *eck$ ! mirror & x seem$ to be 9 good  
%ape4 ,dodds !n w5t to ,w>n] & ,swasey1 
9 ,clevel&1 ,ohio1 :]e he attempt$ to   
discov] :at x w\ld co/ to m\nt ! mirror 
& provide an obs]vatory4 ,b he le>n$    
no?+ !re4 ,dodds knew no?+ ei!r (       
a/ronomy or ( glass & 8 lack ( k did n  
inspire confid5ce 9 8 mission4 ,he did  
note a peculi> ph5om5on1 t p seem$      
suspici\s ( ! mirror 9 itself )\t kn[+  
any?+ ab\t its actual condition4#da     
,%ortly aft] ,dodds' failure to secure a
 us] = ! mirror ! ,p]k9s ,obs]vatory at 

,ohio ,wesleyan ,univ]sity1 :i* plann$  
to add a l>ge reflect+ telescope1 became
 int]e/$ 9 x4 ,dr4 ,clif=d ,c4 ,crump1  
director ( ! ,p]k9s ,obs]vatory1 ,j4 ,w4
 ,feck]1 !n presid5t ( ! ,j4 ,w4 ,feck] 
,company1 & ,a4 ,n4 ,f9n & ,a4 ,q4      
,tool1 ( ! ,national ,bureau ( ,/&>ds1  
inspect$ ! glass at ,am]ican ,univ]sity4
 ,!y f\nd x rem>kably free ( bubbles &  
simil> defects4 ,due to a lack (        
facilities !y 7 unable to te/ ! mirror  
optically1 s t no comm5t 0 made on ei!r 
! poli%+ or ! correctness ( ! figure4 ,x
 01 h[ev]1 f\nd badly /ra9$ due to poor 
anneal+1 & ,feck] advis$ aga9/ us+ x1 z 
x w\ld h to be re-anneal$4 ,if ?is 7    
done1 "s refigur+ w\ld also be necess>y4
 ,aft] ?is r exp5sive r5ovation x w\ld  
rema9 a r ?91 flexible glass & n equal  
to mod]n /&>ds4 ,! ,p]k9s ,obs]vatory   
consequ5tly decid$ r to use a mirror ca/
 & f9i%$ "u ! sup]vision ( ! ,bureau (  
,/&>ds4#db  ,?is 0 ! la/ attempt to use 
! mirror4 ,x rema9$ at ,am]ican         
,univ]sity until ! mid #cj's1 :5 x 0    

plac$ 9 ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution4 ,x 0 
/ill1 9 ,febru>y #aice1 ! l>ge/ mirror  
ev] ca/ & poli%$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4     
,let u return n[ to ,dr4 ,peate4 ,aft]  
see+ ! mirror safely /or$ at ,am]ican   
,univ]sity he return$ to ,gre5ville1    
,p5nsylvania4 ,!n #gh ye>s old1 /ill 9  
good heal? & v active1 he 0 to live = #e
 m ye>s4  ,to ! end ( 8 life he ma9ta9$ 
8 int]e/ 9 a/ronomy1 & 0 optimi/ic ab\t 
! possibility ( 8 great mirror ev5tually
 be+ m\nt$ & us$4 ,9 #aijj at ! age (   
#hj he decid$ to see ,europe once aga94 
,8 prime objective on ?is trip 0        
und\bt$ly ! ,p>is ,exposition ( #aijj1  
:]e "o ( ! ma9 attractions 0 a huge     
telescope made by ,gauti]4 ,x _h a      
refract+ objective ( #di4b in*es1 m\nt$ 
horizontally1 ! l>ge/ refractor yet     
made4 ,/rangely en\gh ?is mu* publiciz$ 
telescope 0 nev] us$ ei!r4 ,aft] !      
exposition 0 ov] ! back]s became        
bankrupt & ! in/rum5t 0 dismantl$ & sold
 = scrap4  ,dr4 ,peate ) 8 wide range ( 
k & 8 conv]sational ability delight$ &  

puzzl$ 8 fell[ pass5g]s on ! boat to & f
 ,europe4 ,!y guess$ t he 0 an educator1
 a sci5ti/1 or /atesman b he d5i$ all   
?is say+1 8no1 ,i'm only a bricklay]40  
,dr4 ,peate liv$ ?ree ye>s aft] ?is     
trip1 dy+ on ,m>* #bd1 #aijc4 ,8 good   
heal? & physical vigor nev] left him    
till almo/ ! mom5t ( 8 dea?2 z %ortly z 
a week be=e1 he _h conduct$ a fun]al    
s]vice4  ,x w\ld be r easy to dismiss   
him z a h>mless fanatic except t ev]y?+ 
kn[n ( him indicates t he 0 n4 ,x is    
reasonable to believe t 8 mirrors 7 made
 m 9 ! hope ?an 9 ! c]ta9 expectation t 
!y w\ld /imulate ! /udy ( a/ronomy 9 !  
in/itutions receiv+ !m4 ,he 0 probably  
well aw>e ( ! difficulties ( e/abli%+ s 
l>ge a telescope at a newly f\nd$       
in/itution su* z ,am]ican ,univ]sity1 &1
 cont5t 9 ! k t he _h done 8 "p1 c\ld   
only hope t o!rs might be inspir$ to d  
likewise4  ,dr4 ,peate's great mirror w 
%ortly be put to use 9 a mann] t c\ld   
h>dly h be5 pr$ict$ by its mak]4 ,x has 
be5 9 ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution = ov]   

#bj ye>s4 ,! huge glass w =m a "p ( !   
exhibition ( optics & a/ronomy 9 ! new  
,museum ( ,hi/ory & ,te*nology t !      
,smi?sonian ,in/itution w op5 to !      
public ab\t #aifb4 ,!re x w be se5 by "s
 millions ( p]sons ea* ye>4 ,because (  
its spectacul> size x %\ld cat* !       
att5tion ( mo/ museum visitors4 ,surely 
x w awak5 9 m ?an "o pot5tially able    
work] an int]e/ 9 a/ronomy4 ,if s1 x w h
 accompli%$ ,dr4 ,peate's purpose4      
,,footnotes   #a ,in/rum5ts surviv+ f   
#ah?-c5tury ,am]ica are almo/           
exclusively ( ,european orig91 products 
( ! num]\s & fam\s %ops :i* sprang up1  
p>ticul>ly 9 ,engl& & ,france1 to meet !
 dem& occasion$ by ! popul>ity ( !      
telescope among amateurs & dilettanti4  
#b ,u4,s4 ,national ,museum catalog nos4
 #aebjgh & #aebjgi4  #c ,w4 ,i4 ,milham1
 ,e>ly ,am]ican ,obs]vatories1          
,william/[n1 ,mass41 ,williams ,college1
 #aich4  #d ,me*anics ,magaz9e1 #ahcj1  
vol4 #ac1 pp4 #aad-aae & frontispiece4  
#e ,see p4 #ahd = a li/ ( ,holcomb's    

in/rum5ts 9 ! ,u4,s4 ,national ,museum4 
#f ,h4 ,c4 ,k+1 ,! ,hi/ory ( !          
,telescope1 ,london1 ,*>les ,griff91    
#aiee1 pp4 #bdf-bdh4 ,milham op4 cit4   
7footnote #c71 p4 #aj4  #g ,z report$ 9 
! ,j\rnal ( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute = ,july
 #ahcd1 new s]4 vol #ad 7:ole no4 #ah71 
pp4 #afi-agb2 ,july #ahce1 new s]4 vol4 
#af 7:ole no4 #bj71 pp4 #aa-ac2 & ,augu/
 #ahcf1 new s]4 vol4 #ah 7:ole no4 #bb71
 p4 #aaj4 ,! fir/ two ( ^! are giv5 9 ! 
app5dix1 pp4 #aha-ahd4  #h ,report$ by  
8,r4 ,k4 ,m40 9 ,sky & ,telescope1 ,m>* 
#aidb1 vol4 #a1 p4 #ba4 ,! 8,catalog (  
,objectives ,made by ,h5ry ,fitz10 ! "t 
span ( :i* is unspecifi$1 li/s #dbh     
objectives up to #ac in*es & only #f    
mirrors4 ,x is n cle>1 h[ev]1 t ^!      
repres5t f9i%$ units4  #i ,langley's "w 
at ! ,allegh5y ,obs]vatory1 p>ticul>ly 8
 inv5tion ( ! bolomet]1 br\ght him      
int]national rekn[n z a sci5ti/4 ,9     
,janu>y #ahhg he 0 appo9t$ assi/ant     
secret>y ( ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution1 & 
lat] 9 t ye> became its ?ird ,secret>y1 

s]v+ f #ahhg-aijf4  #aj ,! giant mirrors
 ( ,h]s*el 7#aghi7 & ,rosse 7#ahdb7 7   
made ( an alloy ( #ga copp] & #bi t91 & 
#fh copp] & #ca t91 respectively4 ,?is  
alloy 0 kn[n z 8speculum metal40 ,!     
silv]$ glass mirror 0 pione]$ by        
,/e9hill & ,f\cault 9 #ahef4 ,9 ,engl&  
,dr4 ,a4 ,a4 ,common made consid]able   
use 9 ! #ahgj's ( silv]$ glass mirrors  
made by ,george ,calv]4 ,ab\t #ahib-ig  
,common himself made1 b nev] f9i%$1 a   
#fj-;in* mirror4 ,x 0 lat] refigur$ & is
 /ill 9 use4  ,on ^! matt]s see ,k+1 op4
 cit4 7footnote #f74  #aa ,= a li/ ( ^!1
 see app5dix1 p4 #ahd4  #ab ,words      
cross$ out 9 manuscript4 ,see figure #a4
  #ac ,= a li/ ( ,fitz mat]ial 9 !      
,u4,s4 ,national ,museum1 see app5dix1  
p4 #ahd4  #ad ,f4 ,w4 ,pre/on1 8,! fir/ 
big ,am]ican telescope mirror1 ,john    
,peate1 8 l5s10 ,bullet9 ( ! ,am]ican   
,c]amic ,society1 #aicf1 vol4 #ae1 pp4  
#abi-aeb4 ,h]eaft] cit$ z ,pre/on4  #ae 
,! circum/ances ( ,peate's life &       
m9i/]ial c>e] are f ,pre/on1 supplem5t$ 

by ,dr4 ,peate's s]vice record1 provid$ 
by ! ,erie ,conf]5ce ( ! ,me?odi/ ,*ur*4
 ,dr4 ,pre/on's prime s\rces are3 ,j4   
,n4 ,frad5burgh1 ,hi/ory ( ! ,erie      
,conf]5ce1 ,oil ,city1 ,pa41 #aijg1 vol4
 #b1 pp4 #bjd-baa2 obitu>y notice by ,r4
 ,n4 ,/ubbs 9 ,m9utes ( ! ,erie         
,conf]5ce1 pl4 publ4 #aijc1 p4 #ij4 ,o!r
 data 7 obta9$ by ,pre/on ?r\gh         
int]views & lett]s1 all cit$ 9 detail 9 
! article4  #af ,f in=mation provid$ by 
,rob]t ,b>r1 act+ secret>y ( ,ob]l9     
,college1 ,febru>y #ae1 #aifj4 ,!       
college records %[ a ,john ,peate f     
,buffalo enroll$ 9 ! prep>atory dep>tm5t
 9 #ahdb-dc & #ahdd-de4 ,! ,encyclop$ia 
,am]icana 7#aibd ed41 vol4 #ba1 p4 #dfj7
 /ates t ,peate att5d$ ,ob]l9 ab\t ?is  
"t4 ,! ,doctorate 0 an honor>y "o       
conf]r$ by ,allegh5y ,college4  #ag     
,frad5burgh1 op4 cit4 7footnote #b71 p4 
#bjd4  #ah ,pre/on1 p4 #acj1 n4 #aj2 p4 
#aca1 n4 #ai2 p4 #adh4  #ai 8,on !      
,con/ruction ( a ,silv]$ ,glass         
,telescope1 ,fifte5 & a ,half ,in*es 9  

,ap]ture1 & its ,use 9 ,cele/ial        
,photography10 ,smi?sonian              
,contributions to ,k1 vol4 #ad1 art4 #c1
 iv#ee pp41 #ahfe 7repr9t$ 9 vol4 #cd z 
art4 #b1 #aijd74  #bj ,pre/on1 p4 #adh4 
,f an article 9 ! ,gre5ville1 ,pa41     
,record ,argus1 ,decemb] #ag1 #aijc4    
#ba ,pre/on1 p4 #adh4 ,9 #aifj x 0 fur!r
 le>n$ t an 8,am]ican ,temp]ance0       
college or univ]sity once exi/$ at      
,h>riman4  #bb ,sci5tific ,am]ican1     
,octob] #bd1 #ahia1 vol4 #fe1 p4 #bfj4  
#bc ,communication f ,?iel ,college1    
,pre/on1 p4 #aca1 n4 #ag4  #bd ,popul>  
,a/ronomy1 ,july #ahih1 vol4 #f1 p4     
#caj4  #be ,pre/on1 p4 #abi1 notes #b   
#c4 ,bas$ on recollections ( ,george    
,lamb]t 7#ahie7 & ,john ,morrison       
7#aijc74 ,t ! decision to make ! mirror 
#fb in*es 9 diamet] may h _h ano!r orig9
 is sugge/$ by ! fact t ,common1 9      
,engl&1 _h made two mirrors ( #fj & #fa 
in*es 9 #ahhf-ia4  #bf ,m9utes ( ! ,erie
 ,conf]5ce1 #ahic1 p4 #bi4 ,pre/on1 p4  
#acj1 n4 #d4  #bg ,pre/on has           

recon/ruct$ ! /ory ( ! mak+ ( ! #fb-;in*
 mirror f contempor>y j\rnals1 :i* w be 
cit$ bel[1 & f p]sonal communications ) 
"s ( ! p>ticipants1 notably ,george     
,h[>d & ,george ,lamb]t4 ,detail$       
citation ( ^! communications are giv5 9 
,pre/on4 ,he has also us$ a brief       
manuscript acc\nt by ,peate himself     
7,pre/on1 p4 #adb1 n4 #fb74  #bh        
,communication ) ,frank ,a',he>n & ,john
 ,hodge4 ,pre/on1 p4 #ace4  #bi ,peate's
 work%op & app>atus is describ$ 9 detail
 by ,pre/on1 pp4 #ace-ach4  #cj ,pre/on1
 p4 #aci4  #ca ,advance ,argus1         
,gre5ville1 ,pa41 ,may #i1 #ahie4       
,pre/on1 p4 #aci4  #cb ,clipp+ ( unc]ta9
 date f ! ,pittsburgh ,lead]1 quot+ !   
,national ,glass ,budget4 ,pre/on1 p4   
#aci & n4 #ee4  #cc ,pre/on1 p4 #adj4   
#cd ,pre/on1 p4 #aci4  #ce ,pre/on1 p4  
#adj4  #cf ,pre/on1 p4 #adb4  #cg ,!    
,bra%e> ,in/rum5t ,company1 aft] ! dea? 
( its f\nd] ,john ,bra%e>1 became ! ,j4 
,w4 ,feck] ,company1 ,inc4 ,?is conc]n  
is n[ a division ( ! ,am]ican ,optical  

,company4  #ch ,pre/on1 pp4 #adb-adc4   
#ci ,! mirror is no long] silv]$4 ,!    
silv] surface 0 app>5tly remov$ dur+ !  
inspection by ! ,bureau ( ,/&>ds 9 !    
#aibj's4  #dj ,pre/on1 p4 #add4 ,v>i\s  
notices 7 publi%$ 9 ! ,am]ican          
,univ]sity ,c\ri] 9 #ahih4  #da ,pre/on1
 pp4 #ade-adf4  #db ,pre/on1 p4 #adf4   
,app5dix  ,,reports ,,( ,,committees ,,(
 ,,! ,,frankl9 ,,in/itute   ,report on  
,amasa ,holcomb's ,reflect+ ,telescope4 
,f ,j\rnal ( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute1 ,july
 #ahcd1 new s]4 vol4 #ad 7:ole no4 #ah71
 pp4 #afi-agb4      ,! ,committee on    
,sci5ce & ! ,arts1 con/itut$ by !       
,frankl9 ,in/itute ( ! ,/ate (          
,p5nsylvania = !     promotion ( !      
,me*anic ,arts1 to :om 0 ref]r$ =       
exam9ation a ,reflect+ ,telescope1      
manufactur$ by ,mr4 ,amasa     ,holcomb1
 ( ,s\?wick1 ,hampd5 c\nty1             
,massa*usetts1  ,,report3--  ,t ! foll[+
 is ! description ( ! in/rum5t z giv5 by
 ,mr4 ,holcomb4      8,! telescope      
submitt$ to ! exam9ation ( ! ,committee 

( ! ,frankl9 ,in/itute is ( ! reflect+  
k9d2 has a     focal l5g? ( six feet2 ! 
diamet] ( ! speculum is ?ree     in*es  
n9e-t5?s2 ! rays ( light are reflect$ b 
once2     ! image =m$ 9 ! focus ( !     
speculum is view$ by a     common       
a/ronomical eye piece1 or by a s+le l5s2
 x has     also an eye piece = view+ l& 
objects1 :i* %[s !m     erect4 ,!       
telescope is ( ! same con/ruction z ^? (
     ,sir ,william ,h]s*ell1 ! obs]v]   
hav+ 8 back t[>ds     ! object & look+  
directly t[>ds ! speculum4 ,x has     an
 advantage ov] ^? ( ! ,gregorian &      
,newtonian =ms1     by %[+ ! object     
bright] ) ! same ap]ture1 !re     be+ no
 light lo/ by a second reflection4 ,!   
diamet] (     ! speculum is small 9     
proportion to ! l5g? ( !     in/rum5t2 x
 w be> a diamet] ( eight in*es1 ) mu*   
advantage = view+ v small />s1 9        
consequ5ce ( !     great increase ( !   
light4      ,! magnify+ p[]s t are us$  
are1 =ty1 n9ety1 & two     hundr$ &     
fifty40  ,?r\gh ! polit5ess ( ,pr(4 ,a4 

,d4 ,ba*e1 ! committee 7 p]mitt$ to     
comp>e ! p]=mance ( ,mr4 ,holcomb's     
reflector ) t ( a five feet a*romatic1 (
 f\r in*es ap]ture1 by ,doll&1 ! prop]ty
 ( ! ,univ]sity ( ,p5nsylvania4 ,!      
in/rum5t 0 also comp>$ ) a ?ree & a half
 feet a*romatic1 by ,doll&1 & ) a       
,gregorian ( f\r in*es ap]ture1 !       
mirrors ( :i* _h be5 lately repoli%$ 9  
,london4 ,! %ort /ay ( ,mr4 ,holcomb 9  
,philadelphia1 prev5t$ ! comp>ison ( x )
 reflectors 9 ! possession ( o!r memb]s 
( ! committee4  ,on ! ev5+ ( ! #ad? (   
,april1 ! committee met by adj\rnm5t 9 !
 op5 lot s\? ( ! ,p5nsylvania ,hospital1
 ! use ( :i* 0 politely p]mitt$ to !    
committee by ! manag]s ( t in/itution4  
,! foll[+ 7 ! results ( ! comp>isons3-- 
,! moon1 ne>ly full1 0 at a height to be
 conv5i5tly view$ ) ! l[] p[]s ( !      
in/rum5ts3 ) a p[] ( #cej 9 ! five feet 
a*romatic1 ! moon appe>$ bright & well  
def9$1--) ! same eye-piece1 giv+ a p[] (
 #djj1 9 ! reflector by ,mr4 ,holcomb1 !
 moon 0 suffici5tly bright1 & equally   

well def9$4 ,! same1 ) ! exception t !  
moon 0 m brilliant1 & ! field ( view mu*
 great]1 0 rem>k$ ) ! use ( ,mr4        
,holcomb's highe/ magnifi]1 giv+ a p[] (
 two hundr$ & fifty4  ,z an illu/ration 
( _! comp>ative p]=mances1 x 0 rem>k$ t 
! wav$ appe>ance ( ! out] declivities ( 
! crat]s ( "s ( ! app>5tly ext9ct lun>  
volcanoes1 indicat+ ! successive        
depositions ( ! lava1 0 m manife/ ) a   
p[] ( f\r hundr$ 9 ! reflector4  ,!     
imm]sions ( #c & #d ,gem9orum ( ! six? &
 sev5? magnitude1 7 obs]v$ at ! same    
in/ant ( "t 9 ea*4  ,! same occurr$ !   
ev5+ be=e ) a /> ( ! eigh? or n9?       
magnitude4  ,! imm]sions1 h[ev]1 ( two v
 small />s1 app>5tly ( ! t5? or elev5?  
magnitude1 7 obs]v$ ) difficulty 9 !    
refractor1 b c\ld n be obs]v$ at all 9 !
 reflector4  ,! comp>ison ( ,pol>is 0   
be/ se5 :5 ! moon 0 up 9 ! refractor1 b 
9 ! abs5ce ( ! moon x 0 readily se5 9   
bo?4  ,ca/or 0 easily divid$ ) ! l[]    
p[]s ( ei!r1 b 9 ! case ( ?is1 z well z 
( o!r b9>y & d\ble />s1 ! d>k space     

betwe5 ! />s 0 less di/urb$ by scatt]+  
rays 9 ! reflector ?an 9 ! refractor4   
,bootes 0 se5 d\ble 9 ea*1 b m di/9ctly 
9 ! reflector1  ,draconis1  ,leonis1 &  
#d? & #e?  ,lyra1 7 se5 di/9ctly d\ble 9
 bo? in/rum5ts2  ,draconis1 f ! equality
 ( ! disks & s(tness ( light1 pres5t$ ! 
f9e/ appe>ance4   ,virg9is1 ) a p[] (   
?ree hundr$ & fifty 9 ei!r telescope1   
gave no c]ta9 indications ( be+ d\ble4  
,"s ( ! memb]s ( ! committee 7 ( op9ion 
t x 0 slightly elongat$4  ,x 0 /at$ by !
 arti/ t 8 reflector w\ld divide />s    
di/ant #c f ea* o!r4  ,e/imat+ ! di/ance
 ( ! />s obs]v$ by ! late obs]vations ( 
,s\?1 ,/ruve1 & ,h]s*el1 jr41 !         
committee 7 ( op9ion t 8 in/rum5t is    
adequate to ! di/9ct division ( d\ble   
/>s di/ant f ea* o!r #b4e4  ,! motion ( 
?is in/rum5t1 pla9ly m\nt$1 0 /eady1 & )
 ! f9d]1 ev5 )\t rack "w1 objects 7     
easily made to range ) ! c5tre1 or l9e (
 collimation ( ! in/rum5t4  ,! position 
( ! obs]v]s ) ! ,h]s*elian telescope1 0 
natural & easy 9 contemplat+ objects    

hav+ sev5ty or eighty degrees (         
altitude1 ?\gh q con/ra9$ & inconv5i5t 9
 us+ ! a*romatic4  ,! reflector gave a  
di/9ct view ( l& objects1 ev5 :5 )9     
"o-f\r? ( a mile4  ,"s light 0 lo/ by ! 
position ( ! head1 an inconv5i5ce       
p>tially obviat$ by mak+ ! end ne>e/ !  
object ?ree in*es great] 9 ap]ture4  ,! 
,gregorian1 :i* probably 0 n a v f9e    
in/rum5t ( its k9d1 bore no comp>ison 9 
di/9ctness1 or 9 quantity ( light1 ) !  
,h]s*elian telescope4  ,f ^! trials1 !  
committee are ( op9ion t ,mr4 ,holcomb  
has be5 entirely successful 9 !         
difficult art ( poli%+ specula ) ! true 
curve1 :i* gives to ! objects view$ all 
! di/9ctness ( figure t is giv5 !m by ! 
be/ refractors by ,doll&4  ,9 "o        
respect1 ! l>g5ess ( ! field ( view1 !  
reflectors by ,mr4 ,holcomb h a decid$  
advantage ov] a*romatics & reflectors ( 
diff]5t con/ruction4 ,! app>5t diamet] (
 ! field ( view 9 ! ,h]s*elian be+ ne>ly
 d\ble t ( ei!r1 ) equal fre$om f       
ab]ration4 ,! quantity ( light furni%$  

by ! refractor 0 great] ) ! same        
ap]ture1 an important advantage 9 se>*+ 
=1 & obs]v+ v m9ute objects4 ,?is       
defici5cy ( light 9 ! ,h]s*elian = view+
 fa9t objects ne> ! moon1 or satellites 
ne> _! prim>ies1 ! committee are (      
op9ion may be remov$ by enl>g+ ! ap]ture
 ( ! ,h]s*elian reflector to five or    
five & a half in*es4  ,! simplicity ( ! 
me?od ( prep>+ & m\nt+ ,mr4 ,holcomb's  
telescopes is wor?y ( notice1 s9ce on   
?is plan1 ! arti/ is enabl$ to furni% = 
an exp5se ( "o hundr$ doll>s1 ) pla9    
m\nt+1 or ( "o hundr$ & fifty to two    
hundr$ doll>s1 ) m exp5sive m\nt+1      
telescopes ^: p]=mance equals t (       
,gregorians & a*romatics hi!rto import$ 
into ! c\ntry at an exp5se ( five hundr$
 doll>s4  ,by ord] ( ! committee4       
,,william ,,hamilton1 ,actu>y4  ,may    
#h?1 #ahcd4   ,report on ,holcomb's     
,reflect+ ,telescopes4  ,f ,j\rnal ( !  
,frankl9 ,in/itute1 ,july #ahce1 new s]4
 vol4 #af 7:ole no4 #bj71 pp4 #aa-ac    
,! ,committee on ,sci5ce & ! ,arts1     

con/itut$ by !     ,frankl9 ,in/itute ( 
! ,/ate ( ,p5nsylvania = !     promotion
 ( ! ,me*anic ,arts1 to :om 0 ref]r$ =  
exam9ation1 two reflect+ telescopes1    
made by ,mr4 ,amasa     ,holcomb1 (     
,s\?wick1 ,hampd5 c\nty1 ,massa*usetts1 
,,report3--  ,t ! foll[+ description (  
^! telescopes is giv5 by ,mr4 ,holcomb3 
,! two reflect+ telescopes n[ submitt$  
by ! subscrib]1     are con/ruct$ on !  
plan ( ,sir ,william ,h]s*el1 hav+     !
 front view4 ,! l>ge/ has a focal l5g? (
 #i feet2     ! diamet] ( ! speculum is 
#h in*es1 & has five     a/ronomical    
eye-pieces1 & "o t]re/rial eye-piece1 = 
%[+ objects erect2 ! l[e/ p[] is #eg1 ! 
highe/     #ijj4 ,! smalle/ has a focal 
l5g? ( #g feet #i in*es2 !     diamet] (
 ! speculum is #f in*es1 & has "o       
t]re/rial1     & f\r a/ronomical1       
eye-pieces2 ! l[e/ p[] is #fj1 !        
highe/ is #fjj4 ,!y are ( ! same k9d z  
^? t 7     submitt$ a ye> ago1 except ! 
mann] ( m\nt+1 :i* is     v diff]5t4    
,,amasa ,,holcomb4  ,on ! ev5+ ( ! #d? (

 ,may1 ! committee met1 by appo9tm5t1 9 
an op5 lot s\? ( ! ,p5nsylvania         
,hospital1 = ! purpose ( te/+ ! p]=mance
 ( ! telescopes1 :i* _h previ\sly be5   
tri$ by "s ( ! memb]s ( ! committee1 &  
by o!r g5tlem51 on ! ev5+ ( ! #b;d4 ,!  
result ( ! exam9ation 0 highly cr$itable
 to ,mr4 ,holcomb1 & _c fail to gratify 
all :o h at he>t ! advancem5t (         
a/ronomical sci5ce 9 ?is c\ntry4  ,!    
in/rum5ts1 ) p[]s v>y+ f #ej to #fjj 9 !
 small]1 & to #ijj 9 ! l>g]1 gave       
satisfactory views ( ! moon ) a         
suffici5cy ( light4  ,mr4 ,holcomb's    
ability to manufacture telescopes :i*   
%\ld be> a comp>ison1 on fav\rable t]ms1
 ) ! be/ f\r & five feet a*romatics n[ 9
 ! c\ntry1 hav+ be5 e/abli%$ by ! report
 ( ! committee 9 ,may1 #ahcd1 _!        
att5tion 0 *iefly direct$ to asc]ta9+ ! 
degree ( p]fection to :i* he has atta9$ 
9 8 art1 by 8 p]sev]+ ef=ts dur+ ! pa/  
ye>4 ,accord+ly1 ! rem>ks :i* foll[ are 
made ) ref]5ce to ! l>g] telescope1 (   
ab\t t5 feet focal l5g?1 eight in*es    

ap]ture1 & ) a positive eye-piece1 giv+ 
a p[] ( ab\t #ijj1 & ! surface ( ! field
 ( view ne>ly twice z great z t ( a     
,gregorian1 & "o-?ird great] ?an t ( an 
a*romatic telescope1 "u simil>          
circum/ances4  ,! view ( ! moon ) its   
rugg$ surface1 its ridges ( m\nta9s1 & !
 endless v>iety ( ind5tations on its    
surface1 0 int]e/+ beyond description1 &
 exce$$ any ?+ ( ! k9d ! committee h ev]
 witness$4  ,saturn's r+1 ?\gh n 9 a    
fav\rable position1 0 se5 manife/ly     
d\ble1 = ! fir/ "t 9 ?is c\ntry1 z f> z 
! in=mation ( ! committee ext5ds4  ,!   
companion ( ,pol>is appe>$ z a /> ( !   
f\r? or fif? magnitude1 to ! unassi/$   
eye4  ,! d\ble />s1 ,ca/or1  ,draconis1 
#d & #e  ,lyr1 & #dd ,bootes1 7 di/9ctly
 sep>at$1 & ! d>k space betwe5 !m made  
evid5t4 ,! la/ m5tion$1 consi/+ ( two   
/>s ( ! fif? magnitude1 di/ant #c made a
 f9e appe>ance2 !y 7 s(t1 & well def9$1 
& !re 7 no scatt]+ rays ( light1 z 0 !  
case ) ,ca/or1 9 bo? in/rum5ts4  ,a     
class ( clos] d\bles />s1 ( :i* #f      

,coron1 di/ant #a4b41 &  ,bootes1 di/ant
 #a4d41 may s]ve z examples1 0 ackn[l$g$
 by ! arti/1 la/ ye>1 to be too         
difficult = 8 telescope4 ,?is has       
furni%$ a /imulus = 8 ex]tions1 & !     
complete division ( ! latt]1 z witness$ 
by ! committee on ! pres5t occasion1 has
 be5 ! rew>d ( 8 dis9t]e/$ lab\rs4 ,!   
discs ( ! two />s 9  ,bootes appe>$ to  
be tang5t to ea* o!r4 ,! committee h no 
evid5ce t ! same has be5 effect$ by any 
o!r telescope 9 ! c\ntry4  ,= ! purpose 
( f9d+ ! limit to ! p[] ( ,mr4          
,holcomb's telescope1 ! committee call$ 
8 att5tion to a class ( /ill clos] />s2 
among !m 7 m5tion$1  ,cancri1 #b        
,bootes1  ,coron1 #cf ,&rom$1 &         
,arietis1 ! la/ ( :i* is only divisible 
by two telescopes n[ 9 use1 viz43 !     
,dorpat telescope1 & ! tw5ty foot       
reflector ( ,sir ,john ,h]s*el4 ,^! />s1
 di/ant f #j4f4 to #a4j41 are made to   
appe> ) _! discs tang5t to ea* o!r 9 ^? 
celebrat$ in/rum5ts1 z appe>s by _!     
notes app5d$ to ! obs]vations conta9$ 9 

_! pr9t$ catalogues4 ,x is almo/ ne$less
 to add1 t ,mr4 ,holcomb ackn[l$g$ ^!   
/>s to be too difficult = any telescopes
 he has yet made4  ,x may seem          
presumptu\s to comp>e ! small in/rum5t (
 ,holcomb ) ! *efs d'oeuvre ( ,briti% & 
,g]man g5ius2 b1 ?anks to ! admirable   
lab\rs ( ! ,h]s*els1 ( ,/ruve1 & ( ,s\?1
 obs]v]s are enabl$1 ?r\gh _! pr9t$     
catalogues1 to comp>e toge!r ! optical  
capacities ( _! telescopes 9 di/ant     
regions4 ,accord+ly x appe>s f an       
exam9ation ( ^! catalogues1 & (         
,holcomb's in/rum5ts1 t :at ! be/       
telescopes 9 ,europe c d ^u />s di/ant  
#j4f41 c be done ^u />s di/ant #a4d41 by
 in/rum5ts :i* are ! "w ( an unassi/$1 &
 almo/ neglect$1 ,am]ican optician4     
,judg+ f ! progress made 9 8 art1 by    
,mr4 ,holcomb1 dur+ ! pa/ ye>1 !        
committee look =w>d1 ) confid5t         
expectation1 to ! n f> di/ant p]iod1 :51
 %\ld 8 heal? be sp>$1 ! c\ntry w be 9  
possession ( a tw5ty feet reflector1 (  
native workman%ip1 rivall+ ! be/        

,european in/rum5ts1 & t1 too1 )\t !    
patronage ( any corporate in/itution1   
%\ld all ( !m be will+ to waive !       
opportunity ( %>+ ) him ! m]it ( su* an 
ent]prise4  ,! committee h be5 l$ to    
enl>ge ^u ?is subject1 f a k t "o ( our 
national in/itutions has1 )9 a few ye>s1
 import$ into ! c\ntry1 at an exp5se (  
#b1ejj1 a telescope :i*1 ?\gh excell5t 9
 its k9d1 is inf]ior to t exhibit$ by   
,mr4 ,holcomb1 :i* 0 made & m\nt$ to    
ord] = an individual 9 ,georgia1 at less
 ?an ! eigh? "p ( ! above m5tion$ sum4  
,x is n probable t a tw5ty foot in/rum5t
 f ,mr4 ,holcomb1 w\ld co/ eight times z
 mu* z "o ( ! l5g? ( t5 feet4  ,! mode (
 m\nt+ ! in/rum5t appe>s to be orig9al1 
& no?+ c exce$ x 9 simplicity1 or       
/ead9ess4 ,inde$1 ) a p[] ( #ijj1 no    
inconv5i5ce 0 p]ceiv$ f re/+ ) "o h& on 
! frame1 & ano!r on ! tube1 al?\gh !    
same c\ld n be done ) ! m\nt+ us$ by    
,mr4 ,holcomb la/ ye>1 or ) t ( common  
a*romatics ) a p[] ( #bjj1 )\t s]i\s    
inconv5i5ce4  ,9 conclusion1 ! committee

 beg leave to recomm5d ,mr4 ,holcomb to 
! ,bo>d ( ,manag]s ( ! ,frankl9         
,in/itute1 z a c&idate = a premium &    
m$al f ! ,scott's legacy fund1 = 8 new  
mode ( m\nt+ reflect+ telescopes4  ,by  
ord] ( ! committee4                     
,,william ,,hamilton1 ,actu>y4  ,may    
#ad?1 #ahce4   ,,relics ,,( ,,holcomb1  
,,fitz1 ,,& ,,peate ,,9 ,,! ,,smi?sonian
 ,,in/itution  7,unit$ ,/ates ,national 
,museum catalog numb] %[n at "r7        
,,amasa ,,holcomb  7,all items f ,mrs4  
,grace ,e4 ,holcomb ,/e]e & ,mrs4 ,eva  
,c4 ,holcomb ,/orey7      #a4 ,undat$ & 
unsign$ orig9al autobiographical        
sket*1 ink on notepap] 7z        publi%$
 "h1 p4 #afj7      #b4 ,manuscript      
notebook on meteorological        &     
a/ronomical matt]s1 cov]+ !        p]iod
 #ahcd-da4                              
#cajfjj      #c4 ,h]s*elean reflect+    
telescope1 #h-;in*        ap]ture1 #i   
feet #d in*es long4 ,?is is !           
telescope made by ,holcomb & %[n at     
! ,frankl9 ,in/itute 9 #ahce4           

#cajeih      #d4 ,refract+ telescope1   
#a-;in* ap]ture1        #ba in*es long1 
on #ad-;in* axis = use z a              
transit telescope1 )\t support4         
#cajeii   ,,h5ry ,,fitz1 ,,jr4  7,item  
#a f ,mr4 ,l4 ,c4 ,ei*n]1 items #b-d f  
,mrs4 ,julia ,fitz ,h[ell1 item #e f    
,mr4 ,ar?ur ,v4 ,a4 ,fitz7      #a4     
,refract+ telescope1 comet seek]1       
#h-;in*        ap]ture1 #fa-;in* wood5  
tube1 fitt$        = equatorial m\nt+1 b
 )\t m\nt4     #cagjbg      #b4 ,ma*9es1
 tools1 & p>tially complet$             
in/rum5ts f ! %op ( ,h5ry ,fitz1        
( :i* ! major pieces are3           ,l5s
 gr9d+ ma*9e                            
#caeaeb          ,l5s poli%+ ma*9e      
#caeaec          ,l5s edg+ & te/+ ma*9e 
#caeaea      #c4 ,manuscript notebook ( 
,fitz acc\nts f        #ahea to #ahee4  
#cagjbf 7#b7      #d4 ,manuscript       
8,catalogue ( ,objectives made        by
 ,h5ry ,fitz40                          
#cagjbf 7#b7      #e4 ,refract+         
telescope1 #e-section draw1 m>k$        

8,ta4 ,long1 ,royal ,ex*ange1 ,london10 
#b-;in* objective1 #db in*es long1 op54 
,pur*as$ 9 ,london by ,fitz 9 #ahci4 ,! 
pres5t objective 0 made by ,fitz4       
#cafgjf   ,,john ,,peate  7,f ,!        
,am]ican ,univ]sity7      #a4 ,mirror1  
glass1 unsilv]$1 #fb-;in* diamet]1      
ab\t #f in*es ?ick4                     
#cajhii   ,u4,s4 ,,gov]nm5t ,,pr9t+     
,,(fice3 #aifb  ,= sale by ! ,sup]9t5d5t
 ( ,docum5ts1 ,u4,s4 ,gov]nm5t ,pr9t+   
,(fice ,wa%+ton #be1 ,d4,c4--,price #cj 
c5ts